The Ravens have requested a head coaching interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, putting Minnesota’s defense in flux.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was expected to be a popular head coaching candidate this offseason. He now has at least one interview set.
On Thursday, Jordan Schultz reported that the Baltimore Ravens requested an interview with Flores to be their next head coach.
At first glance, Baltimore feels like a good fit for Flores. His defensive background aligns with their historical success on that side of the ball. Flores will turn 45 next month, 18 years younger than Harbaugh.
But Flores still has to clear several hurdles before getting hired. First, he's still suing the NFL, which could make it difficult for him to become the true frontrunner for the job until stated otherwise.
Second, he will have to explain how his rocky relationship with Tua Tagovailoa during his three-year head-coaching stint in Miami won't become a theme with other quarterbacks.
Rumors arose late in the season about Lamar Jackson's future in Baltimore. How will Flores address it? Will he assure Jackson that they can coexist and get him back to his MVP-level? Or will Flores wish to move on, potentially creating a rift in the locker room before ever coaching a game?
But Flores' resumé is hard to ignore. The Vikings were tied for 5th in EPA (expected points added) allowed in 2025 at -0.14, per Next Gen Stats. But his success extends beyond this year.
Minnesota was 3rd in 2024 and tied for 20th in 2023, his first season in Minnesota. It was a quick turnaround from Ed Donatell, who was the Vikings' defensive coordinator in 2022. Turnovers helped Minnesota tie for 22nd in EPA allowed that year, but they gave up 5.9 yards per play, second-worst in the league. Only the Detroit Lions allowed more yards overall.
Flores was the Dolphins' head coach from 2019-21. He went 24-25 in Miami, with records of 10-6 in 2020 and 9-8 in 2021, although he never reached the playoffs.
Tension with owner Stephen Ross led to his firing, and Flores spent the 2022 season on the Pittsburgh Steelers' staff as their linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant.
Flores was able to find defensive success even without the star power of other defenses around the league. But as a collection of players, his units were stellar.
If he leaves, Minnesota will have massive shoes to fill at defensive coordinator. Assistants such as defensive backs coach Daronte Jones and linebackers coach Mike Siravo would likely be the frontrunners if there was an in-house promotion. Otherwise, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon or former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris could be candidates.
The Vikings entered the offseason with several holes to fill and decisions to make on high-priced veterans. Losing Flores would only complicate a pivotal offseason for the organization.