Will Brian Flores get a head coaching job in 2025?

The last time the Vikings made the playoffs, their defense was abysmal. Two years later it has become impressive.

Credit for the transformation goes entirely to Dolphins defensive coordinator and three-year head coach Brian Flores.

And so it’s time to pop the question. Will Flores get a second chance to coach his own team?

His abilities are undeniable. The problem is that he has a lawsuit pending against the NFL and four of its teams – the Dolphins, Giants, Broncos and Texans. It shouldn’t matter. But in a small, 32-branch industry operating under Big Shield’s auspices, it’s hard to imagine anyone willing to step out of line and do the right thing.

Maybe the lawsuit doesn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter. Many people think it’s fair to avoid an employee who has sued the company. That’s not it. Retaliation for filing a legal complaint is not permitted.

It’s still happening. Look at last year. After Flores turned the defense around in 2023, he didn’t get a single interview. Despite eight vacancies.

This year it could depend on the number of openings. There are two candidates who are taken for granted when it comes to offers: Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Titans coach (and current Browns assistant) Mike Vrabel. Flores is as qualified as anyone.

If not anymore.

The Review by Tua Tagovailoa shouldn’t matter. Yes, it can be a convenient excuse to ignore Flores. But either the owners want to win or they don’t. Either they want to do the right thing or they don’t.

The right thing to do would be to ignore the lawsuit and give Flores a fair chance. At a time when some believe Jon Gruden might get another chance, why shouldn’t Flores do the same?

Like Flores, Gruden has a pending lawsuit against the league. Unlike Flores, Gruden did something that justified his current status.

We’ll see what happens. We’ll see if anyone has the courage to risk the cold shoulder or worse from 345 Park Avenue and one or more (or perhaps most) of his business associates.

Here too it is simple. Either you want to win. Or you don’t.

Either you want to do the right thing. Or you don’t.