Seahawks passing game coordinator Karl Scott is one of three defensive coordinator interviews set with the Washington Commanders this week
Through all the latest twists and turns through the Washington Commanders defensive coordinator search, head coach Dan Quinn is now reportedly set to interview three candidates over the next two days.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is interviewing for the defensive coordinator vacancy today. This marks the first known coordinator interview for Flores, who was reported as a hopeful defensive coordinator candidate just one day prior to news of a set interview.
Flores is on an expiring contract with the Minnesota Vikings, though head coach Kevin O'Connell was adamant that the team will be aggressive in retention efforts this offseason. The belief from the Vikings, per reports, is that Flores is unlikely to depart the Vikings organization unless it's for a head coaching job.
Whether a head coaching job materializes for Flores is the biggest storyline for him with over a quarter of the league looking to fill those vacancies this offseason. The AFC North has pounced on him though with Flores interviewing for the Baltimore Ravens' head coaching vacancy on Tuesday while reports have indicated the Pittsburgh Steelers have since requested to interview Flores after Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons as head coach.
Washington also reportedly interviewed a second defensive coordinator candidate on Wednesday with Seahawks assistant Karl Scott also reportedly interviewing for the vacancy. Scott is in his fourth season as the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks where he's been viewed as one of the rising defensive coaches in the NFL. Scott served as a defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 before serving the same position at Alabama for three seasons beginning in 2018. Scott also had stints across the college ranks at Texas Tech, Louisiana Tech, Southeastern Louisiana and Tusculum College after starting as a graduate assistant at Delta State in 2007.
Meanwhile, the expectation remains that former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon interviews for the Commanders defensive coordinator vacancy on Thursday after interviewing for the same job with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. Similar to Flores, whether Gannon lands another head coaching job after a rough three year stint in Arizona is worth tracking, but he heads into his second interview with experience in the NFC East.
Gannon served as the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons beginning 2021 and helped the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance before a messy exit with the organization landed him in Arizona.
Gannon is also expected to interview with the Tennessee Titans for their head coaching vacancy on Sunday.
The three interviews become the latest in a string of news over the last week after four candidates initially emerged while head coach Dan Quinn has reportedly already completed interviews with Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
ESPN's John Keim also pointed to former Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris as a potential name to watch, along with current Atlanta defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, though owner Arthur Blank has made clear Ulbrich will be recommended to the Falcons' next head coach.
Washington moved quickly to address the offensive side of the ball with David Blough promoted to offensive coordinator just four days after parting ways with Kliff Kingsbury as we dove into what to expect from him in 2026.