Raiders predicted to hire experienced defensive mind to replace Pete Carroll

The Las Vegas Raiders are back in the head coaching market after firing Pete Carroll due to an abysmal 2025 campaign.

Las Vegas has already interviewed over a dozen candidates and will continue to do its research before naming a new head coach.

There are a plethora of high-level candidates on the open market, but FanSided's Zachary Rotman predicts the Raiders will go the defensive route and hire former Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

Here is what Rotman had to say about Flores and his potential fit in Las Vegas:

"Normally, I'd want to pair a No. 1 pick, likely to be quarterback Fernando Mendoza, with an offensive-minded head coach, but it's really hard to pass up on Flores, who also has a relationship with minority owner Tom Brady dating back to their days with the New England Patriots."

With minority owner Tom Brady being heavily involved in the Raiders' coaching search, Flores has been constantly linked to the franchise. Flores was on the New England Patriots' staff as a defensive assistant to Bill Belichick for 10 years during Brady's tenure with the team.

Flores spent three seasons as the Vikings' defensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025, leading the unit to top-10 scoring finishes each year.

The 44-year-old is one of the best defensive minds in football and is also highly respected around the league.

Flores did have a stint as a head coach with the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, totaling a 24-25 record with two winning seasons before being fired.

Based on his work in Minnesota over the last three years, Flores deserves another opportunity. The Raiders need a stabilizer with elite leadership, and Flores would provide that.

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