There’s a Sharp Left Turn for Brian Flores’ Future
The 2026 NFL head coaching carousel has started to heat up this month, and an initial examination shows no mention of Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Brian Flores’ future with the Vikings just took a sharp left turn after he wasn’t mentioned in a new December head coaching vacancy breakdown.
Flores is winding down his third season in Minnesota, and many thought he’d throw his hat in the ring for the 2026 head coaching bonanza, but perhaps that theory was closer to best-laid plans.
No Brian Flores Mention in Head Coach Carousel Preview
Flores isn’t in dire trouble, but it’s strange that he did not receive any attention.
A Big Preliminary List — but No Flores
The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini, who claims to be quite plugged into NFL dealings, announced a shortlist of upcoming head coach candidates. Flores didn’t make the cut.
Russini wrote, “Expect these assistant coaches to garner serious looks in the upcoming coaching cycle: Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, 49ers DC Robert Saleh, Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, Rams DC Chris Shula, Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, Bills OC Joe Brady and Jags DC Anthony Campanile.”
In fact, Flores’ name wasn’t mentioned at all in the entire body of the article.
An Oversight?
There’s always a chance that Flores will still be a head coach candidate, and that Russini is a) Wrong b) Simply forgot to include Flores.
Since taking over the Vikings’ defense at the start of 2023, Minnesota has the NFL’s third-best defense per EPA/Play. That should command Flores more head coaching attention after he earned some last cycle, to no avail. Third-best in the NFL is no joke.
Too, Russini has a history of general inaccuracy. She led the charge back in the spring for Aaron Rodgers to the Vikings via free agency, seemingly bringing up the idea weekly, if not daily, though Rodgers and the Vikings’ brass later denied any realism to the possibility of a contract. There’s a chance that the coaching carousel arrives in four weeks, with Flores included, despite Russini’s December reporting.
Perhaps Flores Will Stay in MIN
Flores’ contract will expire at the end of this season. Because of that, most fans have assumed that Flores will submit his name for coaching interviews. Let’s pretend now that Russini is correct: Flores does not garner head coaching attention. He may merely return to Minnesota. Why not?
In fact, it might be weird for Flores to accept a defensive coordinator post outside of Minnesota. There’s no real incentive for such a move unless Flores is tired of the franchise, which doesn’t seem like the case.
Possible Job Openings
The upcoming list of terminations is debatable and in flux, but here’s a list of NFL jobs that may be open by mid-January:
- New York Giants
- Tennessee Titans
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Cleveland Browns
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
The first two will search for new skippers no matter what. The rest of the list is up in the air; the current coaches could be canned.
Tea from Russini on the Raiders
Russini also unloaded some Raiders takes in the same article.
She remarked, “So much was said about what Tom Brady would actually be doing as a minority owner, and I can tell you that teams around the league were watching nervously, worried the Raiders might get the full benefit of the ‘Brady Way.’ The first sign of that new order? The arrival of Alex Guerrero.”
“Yes, that Alex Guerrero — Brady’s longtime trainer and business partner. Guerrero, the Raiders’ wellness coordinator, isn’t just a confidant; he’s the minority owner’s eyes and ears in the building when Brady is working for Fox or back in Florida with his kids. Brady hasn’t been in the facility more than a handful of times this season, but he is involved every day, communicating with Guerrero, owner Mark Davis, GM John Spytek, coaches and players.”
The early returns on Brady as an owner apparently aren’t glowing.
“Inside the building, people believed Brady would lure the hottest coaching candidates on the market, like Johnson or Vrabel — names every owner coveted last offseason. They landed instead on 74-year-old Pete Carroll, who brought along his sons Nate and Brennan, both offensive assistants,” Russini added.
“Players thought Brady would deliver Matthew Stafford after a long ski-slope conversation last offseason. He missed. Then Brady shot down Sam Darnold as an option. Another miss.”
Black Monday, when most NFL teams reveal head coach firings for the year, is four weeks away.
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