Story byDaniel FisherFri, January 30, 2026 at 11:33 PM UTC·1 min readThe 2026 NFL head coaching cycle is almost coming to an end, with just two positions available: the Las Vegas Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals. There were a handful of big-name coaching candidates who didn’t land a job this cycle, despite there being 10 head coaching openings. One notable name is former New England Patriots coach and current Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlthough it’s unlikely that Flores will secure a head coaching position this year unless the Raiders hire him, he could be a strong candidate for the next hiring cycle. CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin identified Flores as a potential candidate for a head coaching position in 2027.“Flores was a candidate for multiple head-coaching jobs during this cycle but ultimately went back to Minnesota for another season,” Dubin wrote on Friday. “He runs arguably the NFL’s most creative and flexible defense.