Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has situated himself in a glorious spot for the upcoming coaching carousel, which has arrived as early as now. His team finished 2025 with the NFL's third-ranked defense per EPA/Play , and head coach-needy teams will recognize that mark and Flores' consistency. So it was no surprise on Sunday night when the Las Vegas Raiders entered the rumor mill for Flores, a franchise that fired head coach Pete Carroll on Monday.
Vegas checks a few obvious boxes regarding Flores, so the chatter is worth tracking.
The Raiders are notorious for coach turnover, and Flores could benefit from that tendency in 2026.
Put Flores on the shortlist for the Raiders.
Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek stands at the podium during a news conference on Apr. 25, 2025, at the Intermountain Health Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada, introducing first-round pick Ashton Jeanty. The moment reflected a reset in leadership tone as Las Vegas outlined its vision, draft priorities, and organizational direction following a high-profile selection. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images.
The Raiders as a Flores Destination
Carroll is out in Las Vegas after one year. ESPN's Ryan McFadden scribed on Monday , "The Pete Carroll era with the Las Vegas Raiders is over after just one year. The team fired the 74-year-old coach Monday after it went 3-14 this season, which ended with a 14-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday."
"Before the game, Las Vegas had lost 10 straight and already had wrapped up the No. 1 selection in the 2026 NFL draft. Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement that general manager John Spytek, who was hired along with Carroll last year, will lead football operations along with minority owner Tom Brady , including the search for the team's next coach."
Before that announcement, Flores had already graced the Raiders' head coach rumor mill , as most expected to pull the trigger on Carroll. They did.
Mike Florio decided that Flores could end up in Las Vegas, writing Sunday , "There's a rumor currently making the rounds that, once Brady rolls up his sleeves (while also wearing one glove and an expensive-ass watch), he'll make the case for bringing in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores."
"As the chatter goes, Flores would be the head coach, and former Giants coach Brian Daboll would be the offensive coordinator. Like Flores, Daboll has extensive experience with the Patriot Way. Daboll was there for the first three Super Bowl wins of the Brady/Belichick era, and for two of the second trio of championships."
An Already Decent Defense
The Raiders' defense ranked 20th per EPA/Play this year and 16th in 2024. That's a decent starting point for Flores, who could probably whisk the group into the Top 10 by the end of 2026.
Flores took over a mediocre-to-bad Vikings defense in 2023, one in a similar spot to the Raiders right now. By 2024, Minnesota 's defense ranked second in the NFL, followed by third this year.
Of course, offense is the big plague in Las Vegas right now. Flores won't do much to turn that side around. But he could surround himself with outstanding offensive thinkers and rest on his defensive laurels. There's a path for that to work.
The Offense Is a Different Story
About that Raiders' offense … it has no quarterback. The Geno Smith experiment flopped in 2025, and Aidan O'Connell probably isn't the solution for the long haul.
Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores speaks with attendees during a facility unveiling on Jul. 20, 2021, at the Baptist Health Training Complex in Miami Gardens, Florida. The interaction captured Flores engaging with staff and fans, offering a public-facing moment as the organization marked a new chapter with expanded resources and upgraded practice infrastructure. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports.
Conveniently, the Raiders have the first pick in April's draft . They could easily select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza and let it ride. Trading down could allow the franchise to acquire loads of draft capital, as Las Vegas also needs a WR1 and WR2.
There's also the trade route. Quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Mac Jones may be gettable for the right price this offseason.
The Tom Brady Link
Florio added about the connection, "Brady and Flores are believed to have a good relationship. Flores was among those in Miami who wanted to bring Brady to town after his time in Tampa."
"That said, the Brian Flores lawsuit blew up the revised plan to pair Brady with Sean Payton, an effort that resulted in a massive tampering punishment, including the loss of a first-round pick, a $1.5 million fine, and a six-week suspension of owner Stephen Ross. The Flores lawsuit is still pending. For some teams (including those who are named defendants to the case — Giants, Broncos , Texans , and Dolphins ) that would be an issue."
Flores' lawsuit has been ongoing for four years, believe it or not.
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady watches warmups before kickoff on Oct. 5, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, ahead of a matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders. The pregame scene showed Brady observing quietly from the sideline, a familiar presence in a high-profile setting despite no longer being on the field. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
"For a team like the Raiders, which has a history of litigation against the league, it may not matter. Especially after the manner in which someone saw fit to force out coach Jon Gruden in 2021," Florio continued.
"From a coaching standpoint, Flores fits with the widespread trend of finding a coach who is the exact opposite of the last guy. Carroll is a rah-rah, player-friendly coach. Flores is no-nonsense and Belichickian."
Flores, of course, would hope the Raiders would give him more than a one-year leash. Las Vegas never sticks with a head coach very long.
