Brian Flores may not get his second shot at a head coaching job this cycle, but that doesn’t mean he will automatically be back with the Minnesota Vikings.
Flores has a line on and a chance to earn either the Baltimore Ravens‘ or Pittsburgh Steelers‘ open HC positions. ESPN’s Adam Schefter offered a report on what might be next for Flores if he doesn’t.
“Steelers are interviewing Vikings DC Brian Flores today for their HC job, and former Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy on Wednesday,” Schefter reported Tuesday, January 20. “Minnesota has been pushing to bring back Flores, and if he doesn’t land a head coaching job, would have a good chance at retaining him.”
However, Flores has also already interviewed for the open defensive coordinator position with the Washington Commanders, which means he is at least entertaining moving on from Minnesota even if he doesn’t land a head coaching job.
Furthermore, the Green Bay Packers are now in the market for a new defensive coordinator after Jeff Hafley accepted the role of head coach with the Miami Dolphins, and Rob Demovsky of ESPN floated Green Bay as a potential destination
Hiring Brian Flores Would Help Packers, Hurt Vikings Simultaneously
GettyMinnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
With Hafley gone after two successful campaigns as Packers DC, among head coach Matt LaFleur’s primary objectives as the offseason begins in earnest is to fill that position with an adequate candidate.
“LaFleur also could try to lure Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores from Minnesota. Flores is not under contract for 2026 and has interviewed for head coaching jobs and at least one other defensive coordinator opening,” Demovsky wrote Monday. “Flores was one of the front-runners to become the Packers’ head coach in 2019, a source said, before LaFleur got the job.”
If Flores has some issue behind the scenes in Minnesota that is driving his interest elsewhere, the Packers would provide him an interesting opportunity, not to mention a talented defensive roster that includes the likes of edge-rusher Micah Parsons who should be back healthy by Week 1 of next season following an ACL tear in December.
Interest in Brian Flores Around NFL Could Prove Problem for Packers in Future
GettyDefensive coordinator Brian Flores of the Minnesota Vikings.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic doesn’t see a likely head coaching job in Flores’ immediate future if he doesn’t land the Steelers job, which could turn the heat up on both the Vikings and Packers in their pursuit of the free-agent DC.
“I think if Brian Flores doesn’t get the head coaching job in Pittsburgh, I mean, it’s going to be a tough situation for him from a head coaching perspective,” Lewis said. “I mean, it feels like Jesse Minter, the DC in Los Angeles with the Chargers, has a pretty good shot in Las Vegas.”
“And then you’re talking about some of these defensive coordinator hire possibilities, what would be available? Would a head coach be willing to go that route?” Lewis continued. “Would Brian Flores want to go that route?”
Lewis brings up an interesting point that might favor the Vikings. Flores clearly wants another shot as a head coach, and he will eventually get one if he continues operating as one of the best DCs in the league. Thus, the Packers could be looking for a new coordinator in a year or two even if they hire Flores away from Minnesota this cycle.
NFC Rival Linked to Poaching DC Brian Flores From Vikings