Brian Flores Receives First Head Coaching Interview Request
Brian Flores has emerged as a head coaching candidate after overseeing an outstanding Minnesota Vikings defense in the 2025 season. It was quiet around him between Monday and Wednesday after the conclusion of the regular season, but he gained some steam on Thursday, getting his first interview with an interested franchise.
The Baltimore Ravens are set to interview Brian Flores.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz broke the news on Thursday morning, “Sources: The #Ravens plan on interviewing #Vikings DC Brian Flores for their open HC vacancy. Flores has an expiring contract in Minnesota and is hopeful to get a second opportunity to be a HC.”
Shortly thereafter, Tom Pelissero confirmed on social media, “The Ravens requested an interview with Vikings DC Brian Flores for their head coaching job, per source.”
The Ravens recently moved on from John Harbaugh after 18 years. Harbaugh, 63, secured a career record of 180-113 with the Ravens, including 11 seasons with double-digit wins and a Super Bowl title in 2012.
His Ravens were always in the mix for contention, but have failed to reach the AFC title game since the Super Bowl over a decade ago. Ultimately, it might just have been time for a change.
Either way, the Ravens are an intriguing opening, as they have two-time MVP Lamar Jackson running the show and they generally are a stable organization, especially compared to the ones looking for head coaches in this cycle.
Judy Battista of NFL.com ranked the Ravens as her top vacancy and explained that it’s not just because of Jackson, “It’s more than just having a two-time league MVP as the quarterback. It’s that owner Steve Bisciotti is known to be extremely patient — 18 years with one head coach! — and a non-meddler. It will be interesting to see who emerges with this job — whoever it is must have a specific plan for how to maximize and protect the most unique player in the game.”
Flores’ case is clear. He can build a scary defense in Baltimore that nobody wants to mess with. He joined the Vikings as the DC in 2023 and immediately improved the unit from the year under Ed Donatell. His first version was inconsistent, as the unit lacked cornerbacks to secure the backend and disruptors up front.
Ahead of year two, the Vikings added Blake Cashman to be the new brain of the defense, as well as outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who quickly transformed his crew. The defense has kept Kevin O’Connell’s team in several games over the last two seasons.
Over those two campaigns, Minnesota has ranked near the top of the league in multiple advanced defensive metrics. The Vikings have the league’s best defensive EPA/Play in that span. In DVOA, the Vikings’ defense ranked 2nd in 2024 and 3rd in 2025.
“There’s a lot of talk about my personal situation, and next year,” Flores said days before his potentially final game with the Vikings. “Look, I’ve said this many times. I’ve loved my time here in Minnesota. My family loves it. The state of Minnesota has been tremendous to me. I know [Kevin O’Connell] mentioned there has been great dialogue, and there has. I said this many times, I’ve loved my time here in Minnesota.”
Flores will not be the only candidate, though. The Ravens have already planned interviews with Klint Kubiak (Seahawks OC), Anthony Weaver (Dolphins DC), Vance Joseph (Broncos DC), Davis Webb (Broncos QB Coach), and Matt Nagy (Chiefs OC).
There are seven HC openings in the NFL. At this point, Flores has been considered for one.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.