Ranking the Head Coach Openings for Brian Flores
The Minnesota Vikings had a phenomenal 2024 campaign, and even the disappointing season finale can’t take too much away from that. Of course, that success elevates the coordinators and assistant coaches into head coaching conversations. DC Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown have already been asked to interview for openings.
Ranking the Head Coach Openings for Brian Flores
Flores’ name didn’t gain any traction after last season, but this cycle, he has already landed some interview opportunities, and more could follow. Whenever he is asked about his intention to return to the HC throne, he mentions that it needs to be the right situation.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are in a tough spot as a head coaching candidate would look at a roster that lacks talent besides Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers, and the fact that there’s no quarterback in place also hurts.
In addition to that, multiple recent coaches were fired in-season, and Antonio Pierce was fired the day after saying he hadn’t heard about any changes. None of that is a good sign for a coach who wants to find stability.
A potential connection is minority owner Tom Brady. Flores spent 15 years with him in New England.
5. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are another underwhelming option for any head coaching candidates. Why? They are, as always, in cap hell while also having an aging roster led by Derek Carr, who will turn 34 in March and is, at best, an average QB.
Still, the average QB is better than having no QB solution at all, and the organization offers stability. Sean Payton worked there forever and recently fired coach Dennis Allen made it to year three after seven years as the defensive coordinator.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a strange season, as the roster is actually good on paper. For some reason, however, it didn’t translate to the field under Doug Pederson.
Flores would find some excellent defensive talent, headlined by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. The Jaguars also employ Trevor Lawrence, who hasn’t lived up to the hype coming out of college but has been a solid QB.
General manager Trent Baalke is not viewed as a popular wingman, though, and the ownership trying to partly become a London franchise might scare away some candidates.
3. New York Jets
Flores was born and raised in Brooklyn, and the Jets have one of the best defensive rosters in the NFL (Quinnen Williams, Sauce Gardner). They also have some talent on offense, including potential cornerstones running back Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson.
The problem with the Jets is their dysfunctional ownership, which has just fired the general manager and the head coach during the 2024 season. Aaron Rodgers’ future is also uncertain.
Bringing peace to the Jets is challenging, but the roster is intriguing, and Flores’ background might interest him in taking a long look at the job. The Jets have requested an interview.
2. Chicago Bears
Minnesota’s rivals, the Chicago Bears, have a borderline top-ten defense, and a couple of reinforcements ‒ similar to when the Vikings acquired Blake Cashman, Jonathan Greenard, and Andrew Van Ginkel ‒ could take the group over the top. The secondary is already one of the best in the NFL.
Furthermore, working with a talented young quarterback like Caleb Williams is another selling point. Handing the offensive coordinator job to a hotshot candidate is crucial for any defensive coach who’s thinking about taking over the Bears.
1. New England Patriots
Bill Belichick’s successor survived only one year with the team, but the Patriots are generally a first-class organization. Flores worked there for 15 years in numerous positions. On Tuesday, he was asked about a possible return, and he suggested that he would be interested.
The roster has a bunch of holes on both sides of the ball, but a high draft pick and what feels like unlimited cap space can fill some of them. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye had a promising debut season despite the lack of pass protection and playmakers around him.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt