The Minnesota Vikings are looking less and less capable of holding on to star defensive coordinator Brian Flores, as quality head coaching fits continue opening up across the NFL.
Most recently, the Baltimore Ravens cut ties with head coach Jim Harbaugh on Tuesday, January 6 after 18 years, 180 regular-season wins and a Super Bowl title (2012). The franchise faces uncertainty around quarterback Lamar Jackson, as a contract restructure or a trade are the most likely outcomes on the table heading into the offseason.
Baltimore’s defense also took a huge step back in 2025, falling to 24th in the league after fielding the 10th best defensive unit in 2024. The Ravens allowed 30.3 more yards per game to opposing offenses year over year.
“The Ravens instantly become the most appealing HC job in football,” Mina Kimes of ESPN posted to X on Tuesday. “I would *strongly* consider Brian Flores if I were them.”
Brian Flores Took Actions Last Year to Set Himself Up for NFL’s Head Coaching Cycle in 2026
GettyDefensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings.
Flores has kept his plans close to the vest, most recently addressing his coaching future during a press conference at the end of December.
“Obviously, there’s been a lot of talk about my personal situation and next year,” Flores said. “I’ve said this many times, I’ve loved my time here in Minnesota. My family loves it. The state of Minnesota has been tremendous to me. And I know [Kevin O’Connell] has mentioned there has been great dialogue, and there has. And now we’ll just kind of let the club and my representation handle the rest.”
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has reported that Minnesota tried to sign Flores to an extension during last offseason, but the defensive coordinator declined and headed into the final year of contract, which is now officially up.
“As you guys know, I don’t like talking about myself,” Flores added. “I think our players are doing a lot of great things on the field, and I don’t wanna take away from them in any way. I think, if anything, they deserve all the recognition.”
There are currently seven job openings across the NFL, including with the Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.
The Dallas Cowboys also recently fired DC Matt Eberflus and Flores is a viable candidate for that job as well. The position could potentially represent a significant raise for Flores in an otherwise lateral move given the desperation of Dallas owner Jerry Jones to cobble together a reasonable defense to match the Cowboys’ elite offensive attack.
Brian Flores Has Shown Himself to Great Advantage Over 3 Years With Vikings, Down Stretch of 2025 Season
GettyMinnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Flores is among the most successful defensive coordinators in the league over the past three seasons and made a strong final case for himself in Week 17, when the Vikings held the Detroit Lions to just 10 points and forced six turnovers in a nationally televised game.
Minnesota followed up that performance by allowing just three points to the Green Bay Packers‘ reserves in the regular season finale in Minneapolis.
Flores also has previous head coaching experience. He led the Miami Dolphins to a record of 24-25 across three years between 2019-21.
Vikings in Danger of Losing Brian Flores After Ravens’ Seismic Harbaugh Decision