Latest NFL coaching news could mean the end for Brian Flores’ time with the Minnesota Vikings

One more head coaching job opened up, and Brian Flores is a very likely candidate.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are working really hard to get defensive coordinator Brian Flores to agree to a contract extension. He’s priority No. 1 for the organization right now, as he’s led one of the best defensive units in the NFL during his three seasons in Minnesota.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell was very firm in his desire to keep Flores with the Vikings.

“[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,” O’Connell said. “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.”

Brian Flores will be a top candidate to replace Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh

Tuesday afternoon brought major news in the NFL, as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced his decision to step down. That bombshell news came the day after a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.

There have been talks about Tomlin stepping down over the last few weeks due to the Steelers’ lack of success in the playoffs, including their last seven playoff losses. In his 19 seasons, Tomlin never had a losing season, which is a remarkable track record for a head coach.

That raises the simple question: who will be the next head coach of the Steelers? The list is small, but targeted.

Flores’ inclusion in the list makes sense. The Steelers are the kind of organization that won’t conform to anything the rest of the NFL does. They will always do what they think is best for the Steelers long-term, which is why they hired Tomlin at 34 when he was viewed as too young to be a head coach.

With Flores having an active lawsuit against the NFL, Steelers owner Art Rooney II was the first to hire Flores after he filed the lawsuit against the league and multiple teams. It didn’t scare them about hiring him as an assistant, and it won’t when it comes to Flores being the head coach.

It’s not a guarantee that Flores will get the job, but he’s a very serious candidate, as he is with the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he just completed an interview.

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