At this point, it would surprise nobody if Flores moves on. And if that that indeed happens, Minnesota will need to scramble in order to replace one of the most important figures in the entire organization.

Minnesota Vikings could target Raheem Morris

Replacing Brian Flores will be tough, but Alec Lewis (The Athletic) has an exciting candidate on deck for the Vikings, should B-Flo fly the coop.

Not only is Raheem Morris available, after being fired as Atlanta’s head coach earlier this offseason, but he has previously coached with Kevin O’Connell and already has relationships with multiple other coaches on Minnesota’s staff.

Morris would definitely be in play [as Vikings defensive coordinator]…He and O’Connell worked together with the Rams in 2021. Morris was most recently the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, who drastically improved their defense this season (from 30th in DVOA in 2024 to 15th in 2025) with the addition of Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator.

Morris is charismatic. He has relationships with some of the Vikings’ other defensive coaches, too. The fit makes sense. But there’s one important question to consider: How much of a role did he play in the defensive improvement in Atlanta, compared to Ulbrich’s influence on the schematic shifts and play calling?

The Athletic

Brian Flores has risen to stardom among defensive coordinators. His defensive scheme is largely why the Minnesota Vikings finished with a 9-8 record in 2025, despite unrelenting injuries and poor quarterback play. But he was also the unquestioned governor of that side of the football, leaving KOC to focus solely on offense.

The next Minnesota Vikings coordinator must be able to preside over the defense as well, without much help from the head coach. With his previous experience, Raheem Morris would seemingly fit that description perfectly,

Why the Vikings would rather just keep Brian Flores

Prior to Brian Flores joining the Minnesota Vikings, the defense was in shambles. Ed Donatell’s crash out quite literally earned Daniel Jones a payday from the New York Giants. From 2020 through 2022, Minnesota owned a bottom-five defensive unit when it came to both points and yardage.

Flores, over his three seasons with the Vikings, has pushed things forward each season. After owning the 5th-best defense in terms of points allowed during 2024, Flores pushed the group into the top ten in multiple categories. That output is again having him considered in this coaching cycle.

Minnesota can’t afford to let one area slip as they attempt to get over the hump. Kevin O’Connell is still seeking his first playoff win, and keeping the side of the ball in which he doesn’t focus dialed in is a must.

The candidate pool has apparently been whittled down to four finalists and the Vikings head coach search committee is in Los Angeles today, to conduct three of four final interviews. Here are the four remaining candidates and the latest steam behind their possible hire.

Jim Harbaugh – University of Michigan Head Coach

Jim Harbaugh is, by far, the most intriguing candidate remaining on the list of possibilities. Not only did he coach the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl birth during his first stint in the NFL, but Harbaugh’s one of the most polarizing coaches in all of football, no matter the level.

There’s no doubt that Harbaugh is serious about returning to the NFL. It’s been reported by multiple league insiders and those who cover the Michigan Wolverines at the college level. If he doesn’t get the Minnesota job, there are new rumors linking him to the Dolphins open position. So if the Vikings want him, they can probably get him.

Jim Harbaugh conveyed legitimate interest in the Vikings' head-coaching job during his interview with the team, per source, with Minnesota coming away feeling Harbaugh is ready for a return to the NFL. As of now, he's still considered in the mix for that job.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 31, 2022

Everyone I’ve spoken to in Michigan circles believes Jim Harbaugh’s interest in the Vikings is genuine and that he will formally interview as indicated in multiple reports. Where Michigan’s headman is in Minnesota’s pecking order heading into this week’s process is the real question.

Sam Webb – “The Michigan Insider” (247Sports)

Kevin O’Connell – LA Rams Offensive Coordinator

If I had to lay money down on one candidate to be the next Minnesota Vikings head coach, I’d place my bets on Kevin O’Connell. He’s the first finalist to get a second interview and the only coordinator remaining on the list who coaches on the offensive side of the ball. He’s consistently had the most steam behind his name since the beginning of this process, as well.

O’Connell doesn’t call plays for the Rams but he’s widely seen as one of the brightest young offensive minds in the league. After nearly a decade with defensive-minded Mike Zimmer, a shift to an offensive focus seems natural. I’m not the only one who thinks O’Connell is the favorite.

pic.twitter.com/z0SpfiWaEu

— Skol Vikes (@SkolBros) January 31, 2022

Raheem Morris – LA Rams Defensive Coordinator

Raheem Morris was a late add to the list of second interviews today. In fact, Sports Illustrated released an article this morning naming just three finalists. They had to update it to include Morris, after it was posted. That doesn’t mean Morris is out of the running or won’t get the job but it is worth noting since the Vikings were already in route to Los Angeles to interview O’Connell (who works in the same building).

Interviews with Morris and Ryans will satisfy the NFL’s “Rooney Rule“, which mandates teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for any open head coach position. O’Connell and Morris are the only two candidates who will coach in the Super Bowl two weeks from yesterday. Still, the Vikings could have a verbal agreement in place before and make it official after a 2021-22 NFL champion is named.

The #Vikings’ coaching search committee is en route to Southern California right now, where interviews with Kevin O’Connell and Raheem Morris should occur first. DeMeco Ryans is also slated for a second interview.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) January 31, 2022

DeMeco Ryans – San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator

DeMeco Ryans is the last candidate remaining for this blog. I’d place him as the 3rd most-likely to get the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job. His 49ers were eliminated from Super Bowl contention on Sunday night when they lost to the LA Rams. That would make his hire a bit easier from a procedural standpoint. Not that the Vikings would make a decision based on that.

New general manager Adofo-Mensah has worked most recently with Ryans (2017-19). They were together during his final years in San Francisco. Recency bias is something to keep in mind, given Kwesi hasn’t worked with the other candidates since prior to 2015.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan