Inside The Star
Dallas needs a defensive reset, and Brian Flores’ mix of pressure, disguise, and flexible fronts lines up perfectly with the Cowboys’ interior strength.
I’ve watched a lot of coaching rumors floating around, some make sense, most don’t. But this Brian Flores to the Cowboys conversation feels different.
It doesn’t sound like noise, it sounds like real football thinking, which is something the Cowboys front office doesn’t do on a regular basis.
Flores has done good work in Minnesota, and if Dallas is looking for a new defensive identity, he fits the bill.
We have all seen Flores turn the Vikings into one of the more disciplined defenses in the league. They bring pressure, disguise looks, and ask their guys to play with versatility.
It’s not shallow aggression, his defense is purposeful. They force offenses into uncomfortable situations without just hoping for a sack and that is a big deal.
Here’s the thing most people miss: Flores doesn’t lean on one package every snap.
He blends chaos with control, and he will slide into Bear fronts when he wants to make a statement.
Three down linemen crowded over the center and both guards, it’s a straight message that the run isn’t doing anywhere easily.
I know this is where the Cowboys’ interior really matters.
The Cowboys have Quinnen Williams, Osa Odighizuwa, and Kenny Clark, who are three big, powerful bodies who can line up in tight spaces and make blockers pay.
Williams can collapse the pocket and wreck gaps, Osa brings pop and quickness into pressure, and Clark still pulls double teams inside without breaking a sweat.
These three are the perfect fit for Flores’ Bear look fronts because they can handle the grind and still make plays when it matters.
You don’t need stars everywhere, you need guys who can hold the middle and Flores has the perfect trio for that in Dallas.
I have noticed Flores’ defense isn’t all about lining up heavy. He also uses spacing fronts like Wide 9 alignments for his defensive ends to stretch the pocket from the outside.
That look gives edge rushers room to bend, forces tackles into bad angles, and opens lanes for others to get the pressure home. It works because it stresses the whole line, not just one side.
The Vikings under Flores don’t just blitz and pray, they win early downs by forcing shorter throws and shutting down chunk plays.
That’s the identity Dallas hasn’t had consistently.
When you can squeeze and offense early in a series, you can open up the playbook later. Minnesota’s jump from middle-of-the-pack defensive EPA per play in 2023 to near the top this season proves its real progress, not just a streak.
What makes this situation more interesting is the timing.
[Flores’ contract in...
