Brian Flores is exploring all his options after the Minnesota Vikings‘ 2025 season ended, and many assumed those options would be head coaching positions. Nonetheless, the news that he interviewed for the Washington Commanders‘ defensive coordinator role shows that Flores is leaving no stone unturned this offseason.
As a result, the Vikings need to be prepared if Flores decides to head elsewhere, whether as a head coach or a defensive coordinator. In his mailbag article, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis believes that if Flores leaves, a potential replacement is former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
“Morris would definitely be in play,” Lewis wrote in his article published on Jan. 16. “He and O’Connell worked together with the Rams in 2021. Morris was most recently the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, who drastically improved their defense this season (from 30th in DVOA in 2024 to 15th in 2025) with the addition of Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator.
“Morris is charismatic. He has relationships with some of the Vikings’ other defensive coaches, too. The fit makes sense. But there’s one important question to consider: How much of a role did he play in the defensive improvement in Atlanta, compared to Ulbrich’s influence on the schematic shifts and play calling?”
Vikings Insider Gives Latest on Daronte Jones as Possible DC
Moreover, Lewis also shared the latest on Daronte Jones, who appears to be the internal candidate the Vikings want to replace Flores should their defensive coordinator depart. However, Jones is also interviewing for the defensive coordinator position with another team.
“The clear internal candidate is Daronte Jones, who has served as the team’s defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach under Flores,” Lewis added. “… Last year, Jones interviewed for defensive coordinator positions with the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints. One executive participating in one of those sessions raved about Jones’ interview, saying that he believed Jones would soon become a defensive coordinator.
“But Flores isn’t the only assistant able to meet with other teams. Jones can, too. He has already interviewed for the defensive coordinator positions with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets. Subsequent head coaching hires could create more opportunities. If the Vikings are convinced they’d want Jones to replace Flores, they must manage the situation with foresight and alertness. Losing both would add even more uncertainty to an offseason full of it.”
Vikings Want Brian Flores Back as DC
Recently, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke about Flores’ future. He reiterated his commitment to keeping the defensive coordinator on his coaching staff for the 2026 NFL season. Nonetheless, O’Connell notes his support for Flores’ ambition to become a head coach again.
“We’ve been really aggressive, and Flo knows exactly how we feel about him,” O’Connell said at his end-of-season press conference on Jan. 13. “But at the same time, I want to be really supportive. I’m really excited for him. I think he’s going to, for sure, talk to one team about their head coach position.
“Would not be surprised at all if it ends up being multiple. I think he’s more than deserving of everything he’s brought to our organization over these last three years. It’s been an awesome process to go back to when I first sat down with him and really talked about this vision, his impact, and what it’s inevitably ended up being. It’s been a really positive thing for me.”
Vikings Insider Reveals Big Update on Brian Flores Alternatives