The Ravens Think They Can Steal Brian Flores

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The Ravens Think They Can Steal Brian Flores

The Ravens Think They Can Steal Brian Flores — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores surveys the field before kickoff midway through Dec. 29, 2024, as Minnesota prepared to face the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Flores entered the matchup overseeing one of the league's most aggressive defensive turnarounds, bringing pressure-heavy concepts and disciplined execution to a unit that had rapidly reshaped its identity. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-Getty Images

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Thu, Jan 8, 2026 ·

5 min read

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The days-long drought is officially over for Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores . The defensive coach's name flew all over the place this week as a theoretical candidate for multiple teams' vacant head coaching jobs, but on Thursday, word broke that Flores would formally interview for the Baltimore Ravens' top job .

Baltimore is lining up an interview and treating Brian Flores as a legitimate candidate for its open HC post.

The Ravens shocked the world when they fired longtime skipper John Harbaugh on Tuesday, and Flores will now be included in the discussions about the post-Harbaugh era.

Ravens' Interview Process Signals Real Interest in Flores

The Ravens might be the destination for Flores after all.

Ravens mascot celebrates after winning a mascot race at M&T Bank Stadium. Ravens Brian Flores Head Coach. — Baltimore Ravens mascot Poe celebrates after winning the mascot race during second-half action midway through Aug. 17, 2024, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, during a preseason matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. The lighthearted moment drew cheers from the crowd as game-day festivities continued alongside live action. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan–USA TODAY Sports.

Baltimore Locks in Interview with Flores

Flores will get a look from the Ravens.

CBS Sports ' Bryan DeArdo wrote Thursday , "The Baltimore Ravens ' search to find John Harbaugh's successor will include interviewing Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator who formerly served as the Miami Dolphins head coach. Flores' meeting with Baltimore will be his first interview for a vacant head coaching position during his hiring cycle, which is somewhat surprising given his previous NFL experience."

"Over the past two seasons, Minnesota's defense has ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, in the NFL in fewest points allowed. The past season, the Vikings' defense was also second in the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes allowed, fourth in third-down efficiency and second in red zone efficiency."

When the news broke this week about Harbaugh's termination, many Vikings fans saw the notification and thought, "That's where Flores will go, won't he?"

For now, that theory is on point.

The Ravens Meet the Flores-Declared Criteria

Since it became apparent that Flores would nurture and maintain a consistently productive defense in Minnesota, his name as a head coaching candidate has lurked in the shadows for three offseasons. Flores even unsuccessfully interviewed for two HC jobs in 2025, with the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars .

Too, Flores is on record as saying he'd only return to the top job in the right situation. He told the media last year that the New England Patriots fit that criteria, though New England never came knocking and later hired Mike Vrabel, a fantastic choice.

Flores' "right opportunity" stipulation might rule out franchises like the Las Vegas Raiders , for example. When the Raiders hire a new skipper soon, that will be their sixth head coach since the start of 2021.

Baltimore is perfect for Flores in this regard. Harbaugh worked there for 18 seasons. They don't panic and fire people.

Not a Shoo-In by Any Means

Just because Flores will get a conversation with Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta doesn't mean he's a lock or rubber stamp for the position. Vikings fans adore Flores, but that ardor for his defensive game plans won't seamlessly translate to a head coach interview.

Consider last year. Flores couldn't land the Jets' job. The Ravens' candidate pool should be more choosy and extensive than New York's. So, Flores must impress Baltimore to the utmost.

Brian Flores watches from the sideline during a Vikings game against the Packers. — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches the field from the sideline midway through Jan. 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as Minnesota faced the Green Bay Packers. Flores tracked defensive alignments and late-game execution during fourth-quarter action in a tightly contested divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett–Imagn Images.

Daily Norseman 's Christopher Gates on Flores' upcoming interview : "Flores' contract expires at the end of the season, so at this point he's basically a free agent. The Vikings have, reportedly, been working to try to sign him to an extension to keep him as the defensive coordinator, but to this point those talks have not come to a resolution."

"I would not expect this to be the only interview that Flores gets during the process. Well, unless the Ravens decide to jump on the opportunity and offer him a contract right away. But, if Brian Flores wants to be a head coach in the National Football League again, the Baltimore Ravens are going to be the first to, potentially, give him an opportunity."

The Other Candidates

As of midday January 8th, the Ravens' coach search includes these candidates:

Brian Flores
Vance Joseph
Klint Kubiak
Matt Nagy
Robert Saleh
Anthony Weaver
Davis Webb

That list will grow, as well, meaning Flores will have to ace his interview and hope for the best.

Baltimore ranked 13th per EPA/Play on offense this year and 18th on defense.

Eric DeCosta watches warmups before a Ravens game in Pittsburgh. — Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta observes pregame warmups midway through Nov. 17, 2024, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ahead of a matchup with the Steelers. DeCosta stood near the sideline as players completed routines and staff finalized preparations for the AFC North contest. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire–Imagn Images.

Flores would notably inherit this core group of players in Baltimore:

Robert Saleh is the frontrunner to land the job, according to sportsbooks. Matt Nagy is the secondary frontrunner, with Flores checking in around fourth. Mike McDaniel is rumored, too.

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