The odds of Brian Flores sticking around with the Minnesota Vikings as the team's defensive coordinator continue to decrease. When more teams show interest in his services for 2026, more competition can make an extension difficult.
On Wednesday, Flores interviewed with the Washington Commanders for their open defensive coordinator position. While appealing, that job would be a lateral move for the Vikings' coach and wouldn't make a ton of sense for him to take
However, if Flores gets an opportunity to be a head coach in the NFL again, it would make sense to take the promotion and continue ascending the ranks. Sadly, that's exactly the opportunity that is being presented.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for their vacant head coach position.
On Wednesday, ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared that the Pittsburgh Steelers have requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores to be their next head coach.
Steelers now have requested a head coach interview with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2026
Flores is in Washington today, interviewing for the Commanders DC job. Steelers HC interview is expected next. pic.twitter.com/3MOtRLQGDq
Mike Tomlin stepped down as the Steelers' head coach following Pittsburgh's Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night. He became their head coach in 2007 after being the defensive coordinator for the Vikings in 2006 and went on to have 19 winning seasons before stepping down. He is not expected to pursue a coaching job for the 2026 season.
Interestingly, Brian Flores can follow the same path from Minnesota's defensive coordinator to Steelers head coach. But there is another interesting fact that could play a factor in Flores' decision this offseason.
In 2022, Brian Flores was the Senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Steelers. That link to Pittsburgh and their defense could be a strong motivator, along with the chance to be a head coach again.
Of all the opportunities that could be presented to Brian Flores, the one with the Steelers is the one that Minnesota Vikings fans should be the most afraid of, since it checks so many boxes for what the defensive mastermind is likely looking to achieve.
Let's hope the Vikings can keep Brian Flores in Minnesota this offseason. It will be tough to persuade him to stay, but his defense was a huge reason the purple and gold were able to get nine wins in a season with so many injuries and struggles. The team would need to find a replacement if he leaves, and finding someone as good as Flores would be a massive challenge.