Brian Flores Coaching Carousel: Tracking all his requested interviews while Minnesota Vikings work to retain him

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be a very popular candidate across the NFL for both head coach and defensive coordinator positions.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings might be confident they can keep defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but they will have serious competition.

“I don’t particularly take it any, any kind of way, whether it was trying to get something done in training camp, trying to get out in front of this period before people would be able to talk to him about a similar role with their teams,” said head coach Kevin O’Connell. “You don’t see a lot of players signing in free agency before free agency starts, sometimes because they want to know what their market is, and they want to be able to totally clarify that we’re very much being aggressive to try to get something done with him.

“But at the same time, [we] want to be respectful and make sure he can go through whatever process, whether it is for total clarity and commitment to the head coaching process. But I don’t have, based upon my conversations, I think I shared this the last time we were able to speak, I have a lot of confidence we’re going to be able to get something done with him as our defensive coordinator.”

Now that we are 10 days removed from the season ending, Flores’ contract has expired and he can talk to teams about both their head coach and defensive coordinator openings. He’s going to be in demand for both, even with his pending lawsuit against the NFL for their hiring practices.

The Vikings believe they can keep him in Minnesota, but they will have competition. Here is who has both requested and interviewed Flores.

Baltimore Ravens interview Flores for head coaching position

If there was a team that wouldn’t care about a pending lawsuit, the Baltimore Ravens are that team. They will always do what’s best for them, and they took a risk hiring John Harbaugh 18 years ago. Owner Steve Bischotti isn’t afraid to make a splash, and this would certainly be one.

Brian Flores interviewing with Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has pivoted to being a CEO style head coach, and he needs two new coordinators after letting both Joe Whitt and Kliff Kingsbury go. Flores would inherit a very interesting defense that has some intriguing youth and aging veterans. It would be a significant talent shift for Flores, but that kind of new challenge might be exactly what he wants.

Pittsburgh Steelers are the biggest competition

We wrote about Flores being a serious candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers right after Mike Tomlin stepped down. They hired him to be an assistant the year after the Miami Dolphins fired him and he filed the lawsuit against the NFL. Like the Ravens, the Steelers have always beat to their own drum, and will continue to do so. They are looking for their fourth head coach since 1969, and Flores could easily be it.

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