The Brian Flores Sweepstakes … Has Been Updated
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores still has time to earn a head coaching gig in the next couple of weeks or so, but the options are dwindling.
The Brian Flores Sweepstakes … Has Been Updated
Flores interviewed with the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Jacksonville Jaguars this carousel cycle, and it seems the Jets might be Flores’ last chance.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — a considered the grand prize this go-round — landed with the Bears on Monday, completing Chicago’s mammoth search that included dozens of applicants. Johnson, responsible for rekindling Jared Goff’s career, will now try Caleb Williams on for size.
So, Flores will not coach the Bears. That’s off the table.
Later on Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter seemed to shrink Flores’ prospects for the Jaguars’ top job, too. Schefter tweeted, “Jacksonville’s HC search: Jaguars are bringing in former Raiders DC Patrick Graham, former Jets HC Robert Saleh and Buccaneers OC Liam Coen this week for in-person second interviews.”
Unless Schefter’s list wasn’t all-inclusive, Flores did not make it to Round 2 in Jacksonville.
For those keeping track at home, that would leave the Jets as Flores’ final card. New York also interviewed Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, though McCown is classified as a relative longshot to earn the position.
About a week ago, Flores expressed specific interest in the New England Patriots’ head coaching job, but that post went to Mike Vrabel. “I would say yes,” Flores replied to reporters last week when asked if he’d take an interview for New England’s HC gig. The Patriots went with Vrabel and granted Flores no interview.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted about those Flores comments, “Brian Flores is gracefully taking a lot of questions about his head coach prospects. He said he will take every interview that is requested. Asked if he is interested in the Patriots job, he said: ‘I would say yes.’ But he added ‘it’s not up to me’ if they want to talk.”
That means the Bears, Patriots, and maybe the Jaguars have been ruled out for Flores.
Other teams, such as the Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, and New Orleans Saints, are also looking for head coaches, but Flores has not yet interviewed for those spots.
Flores turned the Vikings’ defense around rather quickly, and in fact, his group ranked second in the NFL this season per EPA/Play. He’s earned HC attention accordingly.
If Flores receives a head coaching job, Minnesota is expected to receive two compensatory draft picks, probably in the mid-round range.
Flores will turn 44 next month.
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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