Our Predictions on Brian Flores’ Future with the Vikings
Get ready for the Brian Flores storyline in a few weeks because it’s coming to the Minnesota Vikings water cooler at your workplace. Whether Flores leaves or stays will be a hot topic, and our writers have predictions.
From head-coaching buzz to contract limbo and lingering legal issues, this breakdown stacks all the factors that could keep Brian Flores in Minnesota or send him searching for his next job.
Flores’ contract expires at the end of the season, and it’s unclear if Minnesota’s brass will extend that agreement.
Where Brian Flores’ Vikings Future Really Stands
Our takes on Flores’ future.
1. Sean Borman: Flores Takes Head Coaching Job Elsewhere
Brian Flores’ return all depends on whether he receives a head coaching position this offseason. Last year it didn’t happen, but I see that changing this time around.
2. Dustin Baker: Flores Hired as Head Coach of Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is sad and ticked, an indicator that change is afoot for a team that will miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons. The Bengals’ front office will swing the pendulum to a defensive-minded coach after seven seasons with Zac Taylor. Burrow will put the offense on autopilot, while Flores returns Cincinnati’s defense to immediate respectability.
The Bengals’ assistant general manager is a man named Trey Brown, who came up in the New England Patriots’ scouting system alongside Flores 15 years ago.
Cincy Jungle‘s Dadio Madook on Taylor’s future: “The Cincinnati Bengals (4-9) are likely headed for a third-straight year of missing the playoffs, despite having one of the three best players in the game in Joe Burrow. Zac Taylor naturally bears a good amount of the blame, as his staff has not gotten much out of the defense the last two seasons, and the offensive line has been near the bottom of the league for the majority of his tenure, even if it has stepped up this year.”
“A lot depends on how the Bengals finish. If they look like contenders with an emerging offensive line and a young defense that is figuring it out, Cincinnati management may be able to use that as an argument for giving Taylor one more shot with a healthy Burrow.”
3. Cole Smith: Flores Leaves MIN
I think Flores will be gone in 2026, since they haven’t extended his contract yet, which will allow him to seek a head coaching opportunity.
4. Josh Frey: Flores Stays in MIN
Flores will remain in Minnesota next year. The Vikings’ DC still has a lawsuit pending against the NFL, which will likely keep him out of the running for a head coaching job, and the Vikings should have no second thoughts about bringing him back.
5. Janik Eckardt: Flores Stays in MIN
Flores will continue to serve as Minnesota’s DC in 2026. He’ll get some looks for a promotion, but will ultimately lose out on the available jobs again. It doesn’t make sense for the Vikings to move forward with another coordinator, and why would Flores leave after building the defensive roster that fits his defense?
6. Ted Schwerzler: Flores Stays in MIN
Yes, Flores is back. He has been passed over in the coaching cycle enough times that it’s no longer an accident. His lawsuit is prohibitive, and his return is a positive for Minnesota.
7. Adam New: Flores Stays in MIN
Brian Flores will remain in Minnesota for the 2026 season. I still don’t believe teams will be ready give him a head coach job after his experience in Miami.
8. Henrique Gucciardi: Flores Stays in MIN
Flores did some HC interviews early in the year and could do more. However, with the defense taking a step back, he may get overlooked in January.
9. Kyle Joudry: Flores Stays in MIN
Brian Flores will return as the DC in 2026. He’ll generate modest interest as a head coach but ultimately stick around.
10. Wes Johnson: Flores Stays in MIN
Flores will be back as the defensive coordinator, and his defense has often been what has kept the team afloat during the season.
11. Ali Siddiqui: Flores Stays in MIN
Flores will be back as the lawsuit may keep teams away from him, at least for one more year.
12. Tony Schultz: Flores Stays in MIN
Flores will remain the Vikings’ coordinator simply because his court case against the NFL remains open. Beyond that, I don’t see a team that he would really want to move to. New England was his only definite choice, as he acknowledged last offseason. The potential teams that might have an open position will only tarnish his resume, either through ownership or the team’s history of failure.
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