The Washington Commanders are swinging big in their search for a new defensive coordinator, and they’ve set their sights on one of the hottest names on the market: Brian Flores. It’s a bold move from new head coach Dan Quinn, who isn’t wasting any time trying to reshape a defense that needs a serious turnaround. Whether they can actually land Flores is still up in the air, but credit Quinn for going after top-tier talent right out of the gate.
Flores is a name that carries serious weight around the league. He’s already been linked to head coaching interviews with the Ravens and Steelers, and there’s a strong sense that this could be the year he gets another shot to lead a team.
If that doesn’t materialize, the Minnesota Vikings-where Flores served as defensive coordinator this past season-are reportedly ready to do whatever it takes to keep him. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is said to be highly confident in the team’s ability to retain Flores, and it’s easy to see why.
His impact on that defense was immediate and impressive.
Still, the Commanders are hoping they made a strong enough impression during their interview to at least stay in the conversation. Flores does have a past connection with new GM Adam Peters from their time together in New England, but that alone probably won’t be enough to seal the deal. This would be a major hire-maybe even a game-changer-for Washington, and they know it.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that Flores is weighing his options strategically. With multiple teams interested and a potential head coaching gig still in play, he has leverage-and he knows how to use it.
That’s part of the business. The idea that Flores could be entertaining Washington’s offer simply to boost his value elsewhere has been floated, including on local radio in D.C., where some analysts speculated this could be more about Minnesota than it is about the Commanders.
And with the Steelers now reportedly entering the mix, the landscape has shifted again. If Flores did give Quinn and Peters the impression he was seriously considering the job, that may have been before Pittsburgh came calling. Now, Washington may have to wait it out and hope things break their way.
To their credit, the Commanders aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. They’ve already interviewed other candidates, including Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Karl Scott, as well as former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. Those are solid names with real credentials, but there’s no denying Flores would be the headline hire.
Right now, Flores holds all the cards. He’s got options-good ones-and he’s in a position to either step into a head coaching role or continue building his resume with a team that’s ready to give him full control of a defense.
The Vikings will fight to keep him, and the Commanders are hoping they’ve done enough to stay in the running. It’s a tense waiting game for fans in Washington, but the fact that Flores took the meeting at all is a sign that this isn’t just a pipe dream.
If Washington can pull this off, it would be a statement-about the new direction under Dan Quinn, about the front office’s commitment to winning, and about their ability to attract top-tier coaching talent. If not, they’ve at least shown they’re willing to aim high and act decisively. Either way, the Commanders are moving with purpose, and that’s something fans can rally behind.