Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will reportedly be a candidate for a head coaching position this hiring cycle; whether he gets a position remains to be seen.
Nonetheless, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared his thoughts on Flores securing the Cleveland Browns job, which, for him, wouldn’t make sense for the team to hire a defensive-minded head coach given they already have Jim Schwartz.
“I don’t think the Cleveland Browns can hire a defensive-minded coach, head coach, and keep that defense together the way it is for this reason,” Schefter said on a Jan. 6 video from “The Adam Schefter Podcast.” “Their defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, has done an unbelievable job. He’s respected around the league.
“If they hire a defensive-minded head coach, let’s think of the top defensive candidates: Brian Flores, Jesse Minter, Steve Spagnuolo. You come with any defensive coordinator. Jim Schwartz is not going to be happy about that and they’re going to lose him.”
Moreover, Schefter believes Cleveland should pursue an offensive-minded coach to ensure that Schwartz remains on the staff should he not get the Browns’ head coaching job.
“If you’re the Browns, you are absolutely looking at an offensive-minded head coach so you can retain your defensive coordinator, who’s sought after,“ Schefter added. “I think that’s how they’re thinking in Cleveland right now; I think that’s how they have to think because Jim Schwartz is that good and that valuable.
“If they lose Schwartz, that defense steps back. The defense is taken care of. You don’t mess with something that’s successful. Let’s get the offense humming; let’s get the quarterback right. Let’s move forward in that regard; let’s get an offensive mind of the coach.”
Vikings’ Brian Flores Among Names Linked to Browns Job
The Browns have begun their search for a new head coach, with multiple candidates reportedly in the mix. Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported on Jan. 5 that Flores is among the coaches the team is considering to succeed Kevin Stefanski.
“Flores interviewed for the Browns defensive coordinator job in 2023 when it went to Schwartz, but the Browns really liked him,“ Cabot wrote. “Flores runs a 3-4 defense, which doesn’t fit Myles Garrett, but the Browns are putting leadership and culture fit ahead of scheme.
“He was head coach of the Dolphins (2019–21), and had a senior defensive role with the Steelers. Flores’s defenses are known for discipline, creativity, and physical play.”
Brian Flores Linked to Another NFL Team for HC Role
Nonetheless, the Browns’ job isn’t the only head coaching position that Flores is linked to. On Jan. 4, a report from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio revealed that Minority owner Tom Brady is likely to have a significant say in the search, and he has his eyes on a couple of former New England Patriots.
“There’s a rumor currently making the rounds that, once Brady rolls up his sleeves (while also wearing one glove and an expensive-ass watch), he’ll make the case for bringing in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores,“ Florio wrote in an article published on Jan. 4.
“As the chatter goes, Flores would be the head coach, and former Giants coach Brian Daboll would be the offensive coordinator. Like Flores, Daboll has extensive experience with the Patriot Way. Daboll was there for the first three Super Bowl wins of the Brady/Belichick era, and for two of the second trio of championships.”
Vikings DC Brian Flores Gets Tough Insider Take on Browns Job