EPA/Play and DVOA.
So, before too long, that production and leadership just have to be recognized by a general manager or NFL ownership group, meaning Flores could be in his final season with the Vikings in 2025. If he takes the plunge as a head coach during the next coaching carousel, here’s where Flores might land, ranked from least to most likely (No. 1 = top Flores landing spot).
6. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons will unleash Michael Penix Jr. in a full season for the first time, parking former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on the bench. To date, Raheem Morris has been allowed one season to work his magic in Atlanta, compiling an 8-9 record in 2024.
Kevin Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year. Yet, in 2025, the Browns will roll with some combination of Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Kenny Pickett, or Dillon Gabriel at quarterback.
 participates in warm ups while offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski looks on before the start of a game against the Washington Redskins at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=750,height=422,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/stefanski.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1024,height=683,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/stefanski.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=750,height=422,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/stefanski.jpg” alt=”Kirk Cousins and Kevin Stefanski during pregame warmups for Vikings.”><figcaption>Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins warms up as then-offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski looks on before facing Washington on Oct. 24, 2019, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>That quarterback foursome has all the makings of a possibly trashy season. </p>
<p>A lowly record in a brutally competitive division like the AFC North might prompt a change in Cleveland. Stefanski has tabulated a 40-44 (.476) record in five seasons with the Browns. Two winning seasons. Two Coach of the Year honors. Three losing campaigns. </p>
<p>Flores might pique the Browns’ attention due to his defensive background, fresh off six years of an offense-first coach in Stefanski. </p>
<h3>4. Cincinnati Bengals</h3>
<p>The Bengals did little to repair their ailing defense this offseason or fix the offensive trenches to the caliber of a Super Bowl-contending team. Instead, they found a way to pay Tee Higgins and called it good. </p>
<p>The standard is higher in Cincinnati than for most clubs, as Joe Burrow at QB1 always carries Super Bowl stakes. </p>
<p>Let’s assume, for the sake of argument, that the Bengals miss the postseason again in 2025. Zac Taylor would probably be canned, and Cincinnati would turn to a reputable replacement option, perhaps a defensive-minded skipper.</p>
<p>Insert Flores. </p>
<h2>The Top 3 Landing Spots for Brian Flores in 2026</h2>
<p><strong>The Cardinals, Colts, and Giants lead the way. </strong></p>
<h3>3. Arizona Cardinals</h3>
<p>With Jonathan Gannon in the saddle, the Cardinals have finished 4-13 in 2023, 8-9 in 2024, and we shall see in 2025.</p>
<p>His record is steadily climbing, and in fact, Arizona could cross the threshold to achieve a winning record this year. But if they do not and regress below 8-9 or repeat the mediocre mark, it would probably be time for a change of pace at head coach. </p>
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Tyler Sullivan wrote about Daboll last week, “No coach has a hotter seat entering 2025 than Brian Daboll in New York. In the three years he’s been on the job, the Giants are 18-32-1, and they’re coming off a 3-14 season last year. At the end of the 2024 campaign, it felt like Daboll may be on the brink of getting the axe, but ownership decided to give him and general manager Joe Schoen another shot in 2025.”
“He’ll need to survive an early gauntlet to possibly get to that point. Before the Week 14 bye, seven of their first 12 opponents are all coming off playoff appearances last year — and the non-playoff teams are the Cowboys (road), Saints (road), 49ers (home), Bears (road) and Patriots (road). It’s hard to imagine New York putting together anything close to a .500 record, which would put Daboll at serious risk of an in-season firing.”
Flores is from Brooklyn, so the geographic proximity angle is in play here.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily … More about Dustin Baker
