Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Last season Brian Flores had plenty of interest during the coaching carousel, but wound up back in Minnesota. This time around the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator has experienced more of a slow burn with interest around the NFL, but he has built momentum in certain spots.
No longer under contract with the Vikings, there is some uncertainty regarding the teams desires to keep him as the defensive coordinator. Despite a belief that they could bring him back, a financial commitment right now is seemingly all it would take.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
While he continues to interview for other roles, he’s now being circled by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a replacement for legacy coach Mike Tomlin.
Pittsburgh Steelers talking with Minnesota Vikings DC again
After 19 seasons leading the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin stepped down after their playoff loss to Houston. The organization is now tasked with finding a suitable replacement, and it appears they have significant interest in their old friend Brian Flores. Gerry Dulac originally reported the second interview, with Mark Kay Cabot adding that the interview is to take place on Tuesday.
Steelers will talk to former Packers coach Mike McCarthy and have a second in-person interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores this week as they search for Mike Tomlin’s replacement, per sources.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 18, 2026
Each team is required to interview a minority candidate for open head coach positions to satisfy the Rooney Rule. With Flores having already interviewed in Pittsburgh, a second round is not necessary just to meet that rule, unless the interest is genuine.
It would be a full-circle moment for both Flores and the Minnesota Vikings. In 2006, the final season before Tomlin was hired by the Steelers, he was the defensive coordinator for the Vikings. Flores has assumed that role for the past three years, and has not hidden his desire to return to a leading role.
If hired, Flores would be a head coach again for the first time since 2021 with the Miami Dolphins. He held that post for three seasons, and aired grievances that ultimately have turned into a lawsuit after his departure.
The Steelers are also targeting former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, and that’s inconsequential for MN. He knows Aaron Rodgers well. Pittsburgh employed the future Hall of Famer this season and his future remains uncertain. Maybe McCarthy can use him as a bridge for another year while building the Steelers back up for the future.
Brian Flores departure would change things for MN Vikings
Whether Flores lands a head coaching job, or one of the defensive coordinator openings he has interviewed for, the MN Vikings have to pivot. There is enough smoke at this point to suggest it’s very real that Flores is ready to move on from the organization.
If he does, then the Vikings will be tasked with finding someone who can continue the defensive excellence that Minnesota has sustained. A fit that makes sense could come in the form of fired Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, as he worked with Kevin O’Connell in Los Angeles.
Kevin O’Connell can’t afford to miss on a potential replacement for Flores to help to prop up the offensive side of the football. They were lackluster in 2025, and are seemingly running it back in 2026, so a step-back defensively could nearly kill the overall playoff chances for the Vikings.
Mentioned in this article: Brian Flores
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