Under John Harbaugh, the Baltimore Ravens compiled 193 total wins, reached the playoffs 12 times, and made six postseason appearances over the last eight years. But for the first time in 18 seasons, Baltimore is searching for a new head coach, having parted ways with the winningest coach in franchise history. And while several names are expected to surface, one candidate has already emerged as a serious option.

We’re talking about Brian Flores. According to Jordan Schultz, the Ravens have scheduled an interview with the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator. Per Albert Breer of SI.com, the interview is expected to take place next week. For now, the 44-year-old DC has been with Minnesota since 2023. From a résumé standpoint, the interest makes sense.

Over the past three seasons, Flores has consistently fielded one of the league’s more effective defenses. Even though Minnesota missed the postseason this year, the Vikings finished No. 3 in total yards allowed and No. 7 in points allowed across the 18-week schedule. That production is exactly why Flores’ name continues to surface in head-coaching conversations.

Meanwhile, this isn’t new territory for him. Flores interviewed for three head-coaching vacancies last offseason but didn’t land an offer. Fast forward to now, and his name has resurfaced in the conversation. Only this time, the context matters, especially with his contract in Minnesota nearing expiration. If Flores is open to another head-coaching opportunity, particularly one involving Lamar Jackson and a ready-made contender, the appeal is obvious.

Still, the Vikings aren’t eager to lose him. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has made it clear that the team hopes to keep Flores around.

“Based upon my dialogue with him, and obviously the enthusiasm and the want to for us to get something done, I don’t [anticipate that],” O’Connell said, while addressing that he does not anticipate Flores departing for a defensive coordinator job with another team. “But I also know we’re inside of days before our season ends. … I know he enjoys being here…I know I’m excited about when … hopefully I can come to this podium and say he’s going to be here for as long as we can keep him here before another team makes him their head coach.”

Looking at the full picture, if the Ravens are seriously considering Flores as their next head coach, he brings a strong résumé and growing reputation…at least from the Vikings and O’Connell’s point of view. Still, any decision will also involve revisiting his previous head-coaching stint with the Miami Dolphins, which, despite some success, didn’t end on the smoothest of terms

A look at Brian Flores’ previous head coaching gig

Brian Flores spent three seasons as the HC of the Dolphins, finishing with a 24–25 record. While his final two seasons produced winning records, Flores was dismissed after just three years, amid reports of tension with franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whom Miami selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Tua later described that relationship in stark terms.

“To put it in simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you [that] you suck at what you did, that you don’t belong doing what you do, that you shouldn’t be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven’t earned this right, and then you have somebody else come in and tell you, ‘Dude, you are the best fit for this,” Tua said in an interview last year, revealing that he began to believe he didn’t belong as an NFL quarterback under Flores.

The cracks started forming early. During Tua’s rookie season, Flores made the surprise decision to bench Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was completing over 70% of his passes with 1,535 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through six games, and named Tua the starter. The move caught Fitzpatrick off guard, as well as offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.

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Miami entered its bye week at 3–3 after a 0–2 start. From there, the team surged back into playoff contention by winning five of the next six games. Those wins came with four starts from Tagovailoa and two from Fitzpatrick. The efforts pushed Miami to a 9–5 record ahead of a critical Week 16 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

That game became a turning point. With the offense struggling and Miami trailing 16–13 entering the fourth quarter, Flores pulled Tagovailoa and turned back to Fitzpatrick. The veteran responded, leading a 13-point fourth quarter and a 26–25 win that kept Miami’s playoff hopes alive. And right after that went down, it reignited a lingering question. Did Flores trust Fitzpatrick more than his rookie quarterback in big moments?

From there, Tagovailoa was rarely treated as the unquestioned starter. When persistent Deshaun Watson trade rumors followed throughout the 2021 season, it only added to the uncertainty before Miami ultimately parted ways with Flores after that year. Now, is set to interview for the Ravens head coaching job. And what 2026 holds for Brian Flores remains open.