Top 5 defensive coordinator options for the Minnesota Vikings

2. Sean Desai

At 39 years old, Desai is another young, up-and-coming defensive coach. Unlike Leonhard, he does actually have experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL, holding that title in 2021 with the Bears. Desai was a defensive quality control coach and safeties coach in Chicago for the eight years prior, also getting to learn from a veteran mind like Fangio during part of that stint. In 2022, Desai spent the year as an associate head coach and defensive assistant with a Seattle Seahawks team that overachieved and made the postseason. Coming from the Fangio coaching tree, Desai is well-respected around the league, and earned an interview with O’Connell to become the Vikings’ defensive coordinator last spring. It certainly seems like he might earn one again, and this time around, he could actually be headed to Minnesota where he would bring a youthful energy and different principles to the Vikings’ defense.