Vikings Request Defensive Coordinator Interviews With Sean Desai, Ryan Nielsen

Desai will interview with the Vikings for a second consecutive season. The Vikings are up to three candidates for their open defensive coordinator position, a list that

will presumably continue to grow in the coming days. The latest reported names they've requested for interviews are Seahawks associate head coach/defensive assistant Sean

Desai and Saints co-DC Ryan Nielsen. They join Steelers linebackers coach/senior defensive assistant Brian Flores, the former head coach of the Dolphins. Notably, all three

people the Vikings have requested to speak with thus far are much younger than 65-year-old Ed Donatell, who was fired on Thursday. Nielsen is 43, Flores is 41, and Desai is

39. With Ed Donatell Gone, 3 Thoughts on the Vikings' Defensive Coordinator Search If the Vikings want to keep the same general defensive scheme in place, Desai would

be the choice. The former longtime Bears assistant coach interviewed in Minnesota last year before Donatell was ultimately chosen. He specializes in the Fangio-style defense, but

would bring some changes to the way it was installed and deployed by the Vikings this season. Desai has a fascinating background and is widely respected in NFL

circles.