2 Teams Request Brian Flores’ Possible HC Services
As expected, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is a hot commodity.
2 Teams Request Brian Flores’ Possible HC Services
Flores’ defense ranked second in the NFL during the 2024 regular season per EPA/play, and head coach-needy teams took notice. While others have been added to the interview docket, the New York Jets and Chicago Bears requested permission to interview the 43-year-old.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday, one day after the Vikings lost at Ford Field in Week 18: “Jets have requested head coaching interviews with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown, per sources.”
Schefter posted a similar tweet about the Bears’ request on Monday.
Both teams would represent somewhat suspect promotions for Flores, as the Bears often have difficulty nailing down a QB1 solution and retaining a head coach. The Jets aren’t much more successful, and in fact, are the butt of jokes regarding dysfunctional organizations.
If anyone can stabilize a franchise, however, it might be Flores.
In Chicago, Flores would inherit Caleb Williams at quarterback, rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze, and a decent defense. It’s not an awful job if one can overlook the Bears’ typical tendencies. For the Jets, Flores and a new general manager would have to decide on Aaron Rodgers’ future and find a quarterback if Rodgers retired or left the franchise.
Flores could also earn more interviews in the next couple of weeks, as head coaching jobs with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots are available. Flores was attached to the Patriots for 14 years before leaving in 2019 to head coach the Miami Dolphins.
Shortly after the 2021 campaign, Flores, then a head coach, was fired by the Miami Dolphins, who apparently wanted to be done with Flores and move on to an offense-first head coach in Mike McDaniel. The termination was odd because Flores had restored the Dolphins to respectability, were trending in the right direction, and even beat the New England Patriots in the final game of 2021. The Pittsburgh Steelers employed Flores in 2022 as the team’s linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant.
Flores then interviewed for the head job of the New York Giants. Brian Daboll was chosen instead, leading some to believe Flores was a “token interview” to placate the Rooney Rule. Flores sued the NFL accordingly. It’s also been speculated that the Dolphins asked Flores to “tank,” an approach Flores refused to take.
Not long ago, Flores expressed an explicit desire to return as a head coach somewhere in the league. In short, he wants to be a head coach again. It just has to be the “right opportunity,” Flores told ESPN’s Adam Schefter last month.
In fact, Flores told Schefter he would love to head coach again. “Now, I may get some resistance from my kids, who are having a great time here in Minnesota. They’re having a fantastic time here just with school, and basketball, and football, and friendships and things like that. I think I’d get a little resistance, but for me personally, it’s something that I’d love to do again. With that said, Minnesota has been a great spot for me. My family, we’re really enjoying it,” Flores said in November.
Meanwhile, Flores must have the Vikings’ defense ready for the playoffs. Minnesota travels to Los Angeles for a Wildcard date with the Rams on Monday Night Football in five days.
Minnesota would likely receive two compensatory draft picks in 2026 if Flores accepted a head coaching job this offseason.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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