AFC Team Is a Perfect HC Fit for Brian Flores
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has once again shown the league that he should be in head coaching consideration when he pummeled the Detroit Lions on Christmas. He’s one of the most respected coordinators in football and those usually generate traction in the hiring cycles.
Brian Flores to Cincinnati
For Flores, the rumor mill has been quiet this year. Last year, he was linked to pretty much every opening. In recent weeks, several NFL insiders snubbed him from their shortlists of HC candidates.
Hiring him could provide an instant boost for a defensive-needy team. One of those is in the AFC North. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report thinks Flores would be the ideal candidate in Cincinnati.
The Bengals are in his tier of “teams unlikely to fire their HCs, but should consider it.” Offensive-minded head coach Zac Taylor has missed the playoffs in three straight seasons, and the Joe Burrow trade rumors have recently surfaced. It could be a franchise that needs a chance.
Moton wrote, “According to Pelissero, there are ‘no signs’ the Bengals will relieve head coach Zac Taylor of his duties. The NFL insider cited quarterback Joe Burrow’s injury and a poor defense as factors in Taylor’s first losing season since 2020.”
Cincinnati’s offense can outscore anyone in any given week, led by Burrow and his star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The defense, however, is annually among the league’s worst, lacking both talent and a coordinator who can elevate it.
“Though Burrow’s extended absence significantly hurt the Bengals’ playoff chances, the organization should be concerned with Taylor’s inability to put together a quality staff,” Moton added. “Last offseason, Cincinnati fired two key assistants, offensive line coach Frank Pollack and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.”
Anarumo once bothered the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs, but his magic wore off quickly. Al Golden was hired to replace him, but with little success.
“Instead of replacing the defensive coordinator for a unit that’s worse than last year’s group, the Bengals should consider hiring Brian Flores, a proven defensive play-caller with head-coaching experience. Flores can uplift that side of the ball, which would take pressure off Burrow and Co. on offense,” Moton concluded.
Flores would immediately form a respectable defensive unit with his aggressive scheme. A problem would be the lack of elite talent sans Trey Hendrickson, who has dealt with injuries all year and might not be around in 2026.
However, Flores has shown that he can make it work. His 2019 unit with the Dolphins played decent football after an abysmal start to the season, and that roster was alarmingly bad. Minnesota’s defensive roster in the 2023 season lacked difference-makers, too, but delivered some admirable results.
Flores is only signed through one more game with the Vikings, and in addition to having the option to depart for head coaching openings, he could also be open to taking another DC job elsewhere. Keeping him in the building should be the Vikings’ top priority.
During the 2024 season, Flores was asked whether he still intends to return to the top 32 jobs in the business.
“Now, I may get some resistance from my kids, who are having a great time here in Minnesota. They’re having a fantastic time here just with school, and basketball, and football, and friendships and things like that. I’d get a little resistance, but for me personally, it’s something that I’d love to do again. With that said, Minnesota has been a great spot for me. My family, we’re really enjoying it,” the defensive coach said about a year ago.
Since taking over in 2023, his defense ranks third in the NFL in EPA/Play behind the Cleveland Browns and the Houston Texans. In points per game allowed, the Vikings rank sixth in that span with 20.5.
His failed relationship with Tua Tagovailoa could scare away some owners and GMs, and others could look in another direction because of the ongoing lawsuit.
From a football perspective, Flores should absolutely be one of the league’s hottest head coaching candidates, and the Bengals make sense. They have the offense to make a Super Bowl run, but need a better defense to give them a chance.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.