While lining up interviews with three external candidates — the Saints' Ryan Nielsen, the Seahawks' Sean Desai and the Steelers' Brian Flores — for their defensive coordinator job, the Vikings are taking a look at an internal candidate coach Kevin O'Connell knows well.
The Vikings confirmed Wednesday that Mike Pettine, who's currently the Vikings' assistant head coach, has interviewed for the team's defensive coordinator opening to replace Ed Donatell. Pettine previously served as defensive coordinator for the Jets (2009-12), Bills (2013) and Packers (2018-20).
The Vikings already interviewed Nielsen and Desai this week, and have requested an interview with Flores, who is also a candidate for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job.