New York Jets Request Interviews for Two Minnesota Vikings Coaches

By Eric Strack |

Updated: Jan 6, 2025

Brian Flores - Minnesota Vikings — Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a devastating blowout loss vs the Detroit Lions on Sunday night. But there’s no time to sulk over their third loss of the season. Because now it is playoff time and the 5-seed Vikings have to turn around and prepare for a road playoff game vs the Los Angeles Rams next Monday.

New York Jets interviewing two Minnesota Vikings coaches

But it appears a couple of Vikings coaches will have a more on their postseason plate than just a West Coast wildcard playoff game. According to reports, the Vikings have received head coach interview requests from the New York Jets for defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown.

Jets have requested head coaching interviews with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025

What does this mean for the Minnesota Vikings and their upcoming playoff game vs the Los Angeles Rams? Well, I’m guessing B-Flo and McCown will be using at least some of their preparation time this week to get ready for the biggest job interview of their respective coaching lives.

What happens next?

And yes, the Vikings have to allow both guys to interview for the Jets job, because it is an upgrade from the positions they hold in Minnesota. According to The Athletic, these interviews cannot be in-person, only virtual.

The Jets have a three-day window to complete these interviews. They cannot happen until three days after the Vikings’ wildcard game in LA, but must be completed before the end of the divisional round games are over.

That means, whether the Minnesota Vikings beat the Rams or not, Brian Flores and Josh McCown will be doing a virtual head coaching interview with the Jets, sometime between Thursday (Jan 16) and Sunday (Jan 19).

Brian Flores, Josh McCown - Minnesota Vikings — Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

This would be Brian Flores’ second opportunity as an NFL head coach. He had early success with the Miami Dolphins, before everything imploded. He left with a starting QB that hated him and a lawsuit against his former employer and the NFL that is still pending.

Meanwhile, Josh McCown is one of the fastest rising offensive coaches in the NFL and well on his way to be tagged as a young QB guru, much like his current boss, Kevin O’Connell. Prior to beginning his coaching career. McCown played two seasons (2017-18) with the New York Jets, where he was a backup QB behind a younger Sam Darnold.

Other candidates competing with Brian Flores and Josh McCown

Beyond Flores and McCown, there are more than a handful of other candidates who either have, or will interview for the New York Jets job. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is not on the list because he is reportedly not interested.

Arthur Smith (Steelers OC)
Aaron Glenn (Lions DC)
Matt Nagy (Chiefs OC)
Vance Joseph (Broncos DC)
Joe Brady (Bills OC)
Rex Ryan (ESPN)
Jeff Ulbrich (Jets Interim HC)
Brian Griese (49ers QB Coach)
Bobby Slowik (Texans OC)
Mike Vrabel (interview complete)
Ron Rivera (interview complete)

Currently, there are five open head coaching jobs available across the NFL and more are expected to come. Here are other teams who need a head coach and could put in a request to interview Brian Flores, or other coaches on the Minnesota Vikings staff.