The Washington Commanders are looking to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores with his contract expiring while drawing head coaching interest.
The Washington Commanders offensive coordinator search was wrapped up quickly with David Blough elevated just days after Kliff Kingsbury parted ways with the organization, but the defensive coordinator search has materialized slower - also as expected.
Head coach Dan Quinn has already completed several interviews while former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon became the latest realistic candidate linked to the vacancy with an interview set for Thursday, per Ian Rapoport. But Washington is also taking a swing on another big name after Rapoport reported on Tuesday that the Commanders are "hoping" to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who is on an expiring contract with the organization.
Whether Flores does actually take a coordinator role is its own question heading into 2026.
After firing John Harbaugh as head coach last week, the Baltimore Ravens announced a completed interview for its vacant head coaching job on Tuesday, a job that Kingsbury has also already interviewed for while others like Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have also been linked to.
Even with an expiring deal, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell made clear of his efforts to retain Flores in 2026 after adding the organization has "been really aggressive" during Tuesday's end of season press conference before later adding its the top priority for him this offseason. Minnesota believes Flores will return to the Vikings if a head coaching opportunity doesn't materialize this offseason.
Flores also marks a significant defensive philosophical difference from Dan Quinn with Flores focused on an attacking style defense, but with the preference to fill the vacancy centered on an experienced coordinator capable of taking over play-calling duties, the coordinator could mark exactly that.
While an interview has yet to be finalized with the Commanders, the Steelers could be another team to watch after Mike Tomlin stepped down on Tuesday after 19 seasons as the head coach.
Flores began his coaching career in 2008 as a special teams assistant with the New England Patriots where he also overlapped with current Commanders general manager Adam Peters, who served as a scout at the time. Flores went on to climb the coaching ranks within the Panthers organization after moving to an assistant offense and special teams role in 2010 then defensive assistant role in 2011. Flores was then promoted to safeties coach for four seasons beginning in 2012 before moving to linebackers for the next three seasons.
Flores then got his first head coaching gig with the Miami Dolphins in 2019 where he finished 24-25 overall, but his tenure ended amid controversy after filing a class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against multiple organizations, including the Dolphins, before moving to senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coming off his third season with the Vikings, Flores has assembled one of the league's best defenses behind his complex blitz packages. Minnesota allowed the third-fewest yards allowed per game (282.6) in 2025 while failing to allow a passing touchdown over a six-game stretch, becoming the first defense to achieve the feat since 1988. Minnesota led the league in takeaways (33) and allowed the fifth-fewest points per game (19.5) the year prior en route to becoming a finalist for the AP Assistant Coach of the Year Award.