The Minnesota Vikings are holding onto hope that Brian Flores will return next season amid the defensive coordinator’s buzz this head coach hiring cycle.
While Flores has remained a noteworthy candidate for several offseasons, he has remained selective about his next job in the NFL.
The turnover in this year’s hiring cycle is rare, and Flores has had the opportunity to connect with several organizations whose head coach positions were previously considered untouchable.
After Flores received an interview request from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported that Flores is scheduled to visit for a second in-person interview this week.
“Steelers will talk to former Packers coach Mike McCarthy and have a second in-person interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores this week as they search for Mike Tomlin’s replacement, per sources,” Dulac wrote in a January 18 X post.
Flores has also interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens for their vacant head coach position and with the Washington Commanders for their defensive coordinator role.
Why the Steelers Interview is Meaningful for Vikings Coordinator Brian Flores
The Steelers and Ravens emerging as havens for new head coaches was unforeseen to many, given their mainstays in Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh, respectively. They are organizations rarely in flux and offer more stability than the typical franchises that emerge searching for a new head coach every handful of years.
However, with both organizations looking to start fresh, this is an opportune time for Flores to push for a head coach position this hiring cycle.
Flores has addressed his future in Minnesota several offseasons and has maintained that he is looking for the right opportunity, not just any, in his second stint as a head coach. The openings in Baltimore and Pittsburgh fit the bill.
Flores also has familiarity with Pittsburgh, serving as a linebackers coach for the 2022 season between his stint as head coach of the Miami Dolphins and coordinator for the Vikings.
Of course, Flores still has his ongoing discrimination lawsuit with the NFL that could cloud his candidacy. The league just escalated the case, taking it to the Supreme Court.
Vikings Address Confidence in Bringing Brian Flores Back
The ties to Flores this hiring cycle feel strong. Tom Brady is leading the Las Vegas Raiders‘ head coach search and is no better advocate for “The Patriot Way” that Flores has carried as a head coach. The Pittsburgh link is also something to consider.
And while Flores has perhaps never had a stronger candidacy than this season, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he has “a lot of confidence” that the team will strike a deal for Flores to remain its coordinator, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“I think he’s more than deserving, everything he’s brought to our organization over these last three years,” O’Connell said during his end-of-season news conference, per the Minnesota Star Tribune. “Not surprised people want to talk to him about that role. Excited for him to do so, all while knowing our No. 1 priority — really before the season even ended — our No. 1 priority has been to get that thing done with him.”
Flores is currently the betting favorite for the Raiders job but has yet to receive an interview request.
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