NFL Insiders Sound Off on Brian Flores, Declan Doyle, Top Potential HC Candidates

Through the first four games of the 2026 NFL season, multiple potential candidates have emerged for future head coaching jobs.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano discussed the coordinators from around the league who are getting early looks for potential openings, most notably highlighting Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

"Obviously, what Brian Flores is doing with Minnesota's defense is incredible, and he should get another shot at a head coaching job at some point," Graziano stated.

Flores served as head coach of the Miami Dolphins for three seasons from 2019 to 2021. While his previous experience could set him apart from other candidates, Graziano cautioned that "there are other factors at play there, as we all know. I'm starting to wonder if Flores has any shot being a head coach while his lawsuit against the league is still pending."

As for candidates with no prior head coaching experience, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is the frontrunner to be elevated next offseason.

"He has brought new elements to the Baltimore attack, and Lamar Jackson seems to really enjoy playing for him. Word is that Doyle was highly impressive on the OC interview trail a year ago, not only in Baltimore but in Philadelphia, too," Fowler explained. "The league is always looking for ascending offensive minds to help build with a young quarterback, and the 30-year-old Doyle fits that mold. He has the poised demeanor to be a head coach."

Graziano pointed to Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, whose unit leads the NFL with six turnovers this season.

"The Jaguars look as good as any team in the league right now, and the program has come together very quickly in its second year under head coach Liam Coen. When teams look for head coaching candidates, they look to the organizations that are doing a lot of winning," Graziano stated. "Campanile's defense is fourth in the NFL in EPA, and only the Vikings are allowing fewer points per game than the Jaguars' 13.3. Trevor Lawrence and Coen's offense are obviously operating at a high level right now. But if Jacksonville keeps this up and repeats as AFC South champs, which is looking extremely possible right now, it'll have a lot to do with the way things have come together on defense."

"Yes, Campanile has proof of concept. He was a finalist for Arizona's job this winter. His teams play physical football," Fowler responded. "Both of Jacksonville's coordinators, Campanile and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, should be in the mix yet again. They have a good thing going in North Florida."

The list doesn't stop there, as teams like the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons have impressed early on, strengthening the resumes of their respective coordinators.

"What Carolina offensive coordinator Brad Idzik is doing with Bryce Young will be hard to ignore. The Panthers have jumped from 26th to first in passing offense. He has Young playing fast and with confidence. That will get noticed by front offices and owners," Fowler stated. "Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is on a nice stretch, as is Dallas OC Klayton Adams."

"Atlanta is a fun story in the early going, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is getting love around the league for the job he's doing with a unit that's short-handed up front," Graziano added. "He finished the 2024 season as the Jets' interim head coach. That obviously didn't go well, but Ulbrich is extremely well-liked and respected around the league and could get looks if the Falcons have a big season."