The Minnesota Vikings may have signed defensive coordinator Brian Flores to a contract extension earlier this month, but that deal didn't guarantee his return to the purple and gold for the 2026 NFL season.
If Flores accepted a head coach position this offseason, he would leave the Vikings and assume that role. The two most tempting job openings to draw him away from Minnesota are the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Ravens hired former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to be their head coach earlier this week, putting a lot of focus on the position in Pittsburgh since no other team has shown interest in interviewing Flores.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers working to hire Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, it appears as though Brian Flores will remain the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.
On Saturday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared that the Pittsburgh Steelers are working toward a deal to hire Mike McCarthy to be their next head coach. That means Brian Flores is likely to return to the Minnesota Vikings.
Coming home: The Steelers are working towards a deal to hire Mike McCarthy as their head coach, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 24, 2026
McCarthy grew up in Pittsburgh. Now, at age 62, the Super Bowl winner gets a chance to coach the team he grew up rooting for. pic.twitter.com/utGTpvgcp6
Of course, another team with a head coach vacancy could show late interest in Brian Flores, but that seems unlikely at this point in the coaching cycle. Unless something strange happens with those teams, the Vikings should be able to keep their defensive mastermind.
Flores' defense is one of the major reasons Minnesota was able to win nine games during a season where they struggled offensively and dealt with a large number of injuries to key players throughout the year.
Being able to retain him while working to solidify the Vikings' offense is huge for a team with a lot of talent on its roster and many tough decisions to make this offseason. Not having to worry about finding a replacement for Flores allows Minnesota to focus on its roster, salary cap situation, draft strategy, and much more.
This is a tough situation for Brian Flores since he has earned a look at being a head coach again, but he will not be able to assume that role this offseason. His success as a defensive coordinator has earned him recognition, but hasn't translated to a promotion to head coach.
It seems like only a matter of time before Brian Flores gets another opportunity as a head coach. Until then, the Minnesota Vikings should consider themselves lucky to have the aggressive coach as their defensive coordinator.