NFL Teams That Could Hire Brian Flores in 2026
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores interviewed for a couple of head coaching positions this offseason, but nothing materialized for a second consecutive offseason.
Brian Flores could be in line for a head coaching job in 2026, and here’s where he might land. Flores head coached the Dolphins from 2019 to 2021.
Since joining the Vikings in 2023, Flores has transformed the Vikings’ defense into one of the best in the world, ranking second only to the Denver Broncos last season, according to EPA/Play and DVOA.
So, before too long, that production and leadership just have to be recognized by a general manager or NFL ownership group, meaning Flores could be in his final season with the Vikings in 2025. If he takes the plunge as a head coach during the next coaching carousel, here’s where Flores might land, ranked from least to most likely (No. 1 = top Flores landing spot).
6. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons will unleash Michael Penix Jr. in a full season for the first time, parking former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on the bench. To date, Raheem Morris has been allowed one season to work his magic in Atlanta, compiling an 8-9 record in 2024.
Atlanta has an easy schedule in 2025 — every NFC South team does — and if that 8-9 record slides to 6-11 or worse, the Falcons might make a change after two seasons with Morris.
Flores would likely fetch an interview.
5. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland employs ex-Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year. Yet, in 2025, the Browns will roll with some combination of Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett, or Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.
That quarterback foursome has all the makings of a possibly trashy season.
A lowly record in a brutally competitive division like the AFC North might prompt a change in Cleveland. Stefanski has tabulated a 40-44 (.476) record in five seasons with the Browns. Two winning seasons. Two Coach of the Year honors. Three losing campaigns.
Flores might pique the Browns’ attention due to his defensive background, fresh off six years of an offense-first coach in Stefanski.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals did little to repair their ailing defense this offseason or fix the offensive trenches to the caliber of a Super Bowl-contending team. Instead, they found a way to pay Tee Higgins and called it good.
The standard is higher in Cincinnati than for most clubs, as Joe Burrow at QB1 always carries Super Bowl stakes.
Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that the Bengals miss the postseason again in 2025. Zac Taylor would probably be canned, and Cincinnati would turn to a reputable replacement option, perhaps a defensive-minded skipper.
Insert Flores.
The Top 3 Landing Spots for Brian Flores in 2026
The Cardinals, Colts, and Giants lead the way.
3. Arizona Cardinals
With Jonathan Gannon in the saddle, the Cardinals have finished 4-13 in 2023, 8-9 in 2024, and we shall see in 2025.
His record is steadily climbing, and in fact, Arizona could cross the threshold to achieve a winning record this year. But if they do not and regress below 8-9 or repeat the mediocre mark, it would probably be time for a change of pace at head coach.
Flores would pair with Kyler Murray, maybe hire Josh McCown as his offensive coordinator, and Arizona would be in rosy shape.
2. Indianapolis Colts
Shane Steichen is 17-17 (.500) through two seasons, and his fate rests with a combination of Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson at quarterback.
The Colts likely have to reach the playoffs to preserve Steichen’s job security — will they really do that with Jones at QB1? Jones, at least from a July standpoint, is trending to start in 2025 over Richardson, who is battling a nagging shoulder injury.
Flores would inherit a clean slate in Indianapolis, probably able to choose his quarterback for 2026 and beyond.
1. New York Giants
Admittedly a wild choice here because the New York Giants are involved in Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL, there’s a path where bygones become bygones. The Giants’ 2025 season could go pear-shaped with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston at the top of the ticket, leaving Brian Daboll as the odd man out.
New York could turn to Flores, whom it entertained as head coach in 2022 before hiring Daboll.
CBS Sports‘ Tyler Sullivan wrote about Daboll last week, “No coach has a hotter seat entering 2025 than Brian Daboll in New York. In the three years he’s been on the job, the Giants are 18-32-1, and they’re coming off a 3-14 season last year. At the end of the 2024 campaign, it felt like Daboll may be on the brink of getting the axe, but ownership decided to give him and general manager Joe Schoen another shot in 2025.”
“He’ll need to survive an early gauntlet to possibly get to that point. Before the Week 14 bye, seven of their first 12 opponents are all coming off playoff appearances last year — and the non-playoff teams are the Cowboys (road), Saints (road), 49ers (home), Bears (road) and Patriots (road). It’s hard to imagine New York putting together anything close to a .500 record, which would put Daboll at serious risk of an in-season firing.”
Flores is from Brooklyn, so the geographic proximity angle is in play here.
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