The Washington Commanders parted ways with both coordinators at the end of the 2025 season. Of all potential replacements, Brian Flores quickly became the dream defensive coordinator candidate. Flores, who spent the past three seasons as the Vikings‘ defensive coordinator, had his contract end at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
The Commanders hosted Flores for an interview. He also spoke with two teams as a head coaching candidate. However, on Wednesday evening, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Flores was returning to Minnesota.
Washington can now cross Flores off the list. It’s uncertain if Flores was ever serious about leaving the Vikings for anything but a head coaching job. He had interviews with the Steelers and Ravens for their head coaching positions, and he remains a candidate until those positions are filled.
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The Commanders were the only known interview Flores took for a defensive coordinator job. Arguably the NFL’s top defensive coordinator, Flores would’ve had plenty of options had he chose to leave Minnesota for another DC job.
Outside of Flores, Washington has interviewed former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Seahawks defensive backs coach Karl Scott, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson. Of the known candidates, only Scott is still coaching, so Washington’s search could be ending sooner rather than later.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Brian Flores returning to Vikings