The Atlanta Falcons are in the market for a new head coach this offseason after cutting ties with Raheem Morris following another 8-9 season.
One of the team's top candidates, former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, is now off the board after the New York Giants snatched him up.
We believe Kevin Stefanski might be the Falcons' top target at this point, but if they swing and miss on him, also, Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson predicts the team will hire Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
"I think if the Falcons strike out on all of their big swing candidates, including John Harbaugh and Kevin Stefanski, Flores will come more into the picture for Atlanta," Robinson said. "I also think his performance in Miami has proven to be a big plus on the ledger, including the reality that he didn’t fully buy into Tua Tagovailoa as being the quarterback who could lead Miami to a Super Bowl. I also believe Flores would immediately wreak havoc with the current defensive talent that is in place in Atlanta."
There is a connection between president of football Matt Ryan and Flores, as they were teammates at Boston College for one season in 2003. Connections aren't the end-all be-all in the NFL, but they are important.
Despite that connection, there haven't been any reports that the Falcons are interested in Flores, although there's still time for that to change.
Flores was previously a head coach with the Miami Dolphins, but after things didn't pan out there, he eventually landed with the Vikings as their defensive coordinator.
Flores, who is one of the more well-respected defensive minds in the NFL, has held the job in Minnesota for three seasons, and his last two were particularly impressive.
Minnesota's defense ranked fifth in points allowed and second in rushing yards in 2024, and then the Vikings were seventh in points and second in passing yards in 2025.
The Falcons have a strong foundation on defense for Flores to work with, and if history tells us anything, it's that he can elevate the unit.
It remains to be seen what kind of plan Flores would have on offense, but that's the most important thing with the Falcons having a quarterback to develop in Michael Penix Jr. And some great foundational pieces in Bijan Robinson and Drake London.
The Falcons might be hesitant to bring in another defensive-minded head coach after Morris didn't pan out, but if they do, Flores would be an excellent get.
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