This previous offseason, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores interviewed for head teaching vacancies with the Bears, Jets, and Jaguars. He did not find yourself touchdown any of these jobs, however his success in Minnesota made him a outstanding candidate across the league.
With lower than a month remaining within the 2025 NFL common season, there would not seem like the identical degree of buzz round Flores as a head coach candidate this time round. He definitely may nonetheless obtain some interviews — and maybe even land a job as a head coach for the primary time because the Dolphins fired him after the 2021 season. However his identify is notably absent on a pair latest quick lists from nationwide insiders.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano ranked his high 9 candidates for the upcoming cycle, primarily based on issues he is heard from brokers and executives across the league. Here is his listing, which incorporates 4 names with earlier expertise as a head coach:
- Vance Joseph, Broncos DC
- Chris Shula, Rams DC
- Jeff Hafley, Packers DC
- Matt Nagy, Chiefs OC
- Joe Brady, Payments OC
- Robert Saleh, 49ers DC
- Jesse Minter, Chargers DC
- Klint Kubiak, Seahawks OC
- Arthur Smith, Steelers OC
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini put collectively an identical kind of listing final weekend. Hers included Nagy, Saleh, Joseph, Kubiak, Shula, Hafley, and Brady, in addition to Colts DC Lou Anarumo, Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver, Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, and Jaguars DC Anthony Campanile. Neither Graziano or Russini made even a cursory point out of Flores, regardless of each of their lists having extra defensive coaches than offensive ones.
Flores did make the listing from SI’s Conor Orr, however his is supposed to be exhaustive and consists of 43 names (Vikings OC Wes Phillips amongst them).
Even in a down season for the Vikings, their protection has continued to play properly. By way of 13 video games, they’re eighth in opponent EPA per play, ninth in defensive DVOA, eighth in yards allowed per sport, twelfth in factors allowed per sport, and tied for eleventh in sacks. Their takeaways are down from final season, however all the Vikings’ defensive numbers have nearly definitely been impacted to some extent by the shortage of complementary assist they’ve obtained from their offense.
Since Flores’ arrival in Minnesota in 2023, the Vikings’ protection ranks third in opponent EPA per play. His scheme stays distinctive in its complexity, aggressiveness, and adaptableness.
Nonetheless, the questions on Flores as a head coach candidate from the previous couple offseasons have not gone wherever. His lawsuit in opposition to the NFL stays ongoing. And even years later, groups could have lingering considerations about Flores’ dealing with of Tua Tagovailoa within the final couple years of his Miami tenure.
Notably, Flores’ contract because the Vikings’ defensive coordinator is up after this season. But when he is not going to land a head teaching gig, Minnesota would undoubtedly like to have him again in 2026 and past. Kevin O’Connell and Flores have confirmed to be fairly the duo, and if the Vikings can get higher quarterback play subsequent yr, they may very well be proper again within the playoff combine within the NFC.
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