An intriguing possibility has come up as we enter this year's NFL general manager/head coach hiring cycle — one that would strip the Vikings of a couple valuable employees. The idea is that Vikings senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson and defensive coordinator Brian Flores could potentially be hired as a GM/HC package deal by one of the teams in need of a new regime.

They were both fired from NFL jobs in part because of abrasive personalities. Has their time in Minnesota prepared them for another shot?

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has done a terrific job this season. But his future in Minnesota seems far more certain than that of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

As of Tuesday, the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets had reportedly requested permission to interview Flores for the position. The current vacancies across the NFL include the Bears, Jets, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and, most recently, Las Vegas Raiders.

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores says he will accept each head coach interview request that comes to him.

Flores, who previously served as Dolphins head coach from 2019-21, has had interview requests from the Jets and Bears as he prepares the Vikings defense for the playoffs.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the third team to request an interview with Brian Flores to become their new head coach.

Brian Flores is gracefully taking a lot of questions about his head coach prospects. He said he will take every interview that is requested. Asked if he is interested in the Patriots job, he said: "I would say yes." But he added "it's not up to me" if they want to talk.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets have requested to interview the likes of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown for the job: Jets have requested head coaching interviews with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown, per sources.

Ryan Fitzpatrick played for Brian Flores the last time he was a head coach with the Miami Dolphins. His assessment of his former head coach getting a new opportunity beyond that of a defensive coordinator is something you have to hear.

Brian Flores is one of the many names being floated around as a head coach candidate for the coming year, but one of his former players offered a bit of a warning to other teams that might be interested.