Brian Flores didn’t slam the door on Minnesota — but he also didn’t exactly calm the market, either. With his contract set to expire after the season, Flores addressed the swirling “what’s next?” talk Tuesday and made it clear the conversations are happening, even if he’s keeping his public posture locked on the next game.

Flores opened by acknowledging the noise around his future and emphasized how much he’s enjoyed Minnesota, praising head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Wilf ownership group, the players, and the state itself, while noting the club and his representation will handle the rest.

When asked what he’s told his representation he wants, Flores deadpanned: he wants to win this week.

And when pressed on whether he wants to return, he reiterated he “loves Minnesota,” adding that if everything “lines up” — football and business — then they’ll see where it goes.

Here’s why Cowboys fans should care: that’s exactly what it sounds like when a coach is leaving the door open to options, and Dallas is one of the loudest options on the board. Multiple reports and league chatter have connected Flores to the Cowboys as a potential defensive coordinator target if Dallas moves on from its current setup — and Flores’ contract situation is what makes this more than idle speculation.

The Cowboys have every reason to take a swing. Flores is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s most creative, aggressive defensive minds, and Dallas desperately needs a tone-setter on that side of the ball — someone who can build a complete unit, not just a highlight-reel pass rush.

And unlike a head-coaching chase, this is about clarity: if Flores hits the open market, Dallas can offer money, profile, and a defense stocked with pieces that could pop in an attacking system.

Minnesota clearly wants him back — O’Connell has publicly said as much — but the timeline is the real pressure point. Every day that passes pushes Flores closer to true free-agency as a coach, and once that happens, the Cowboys don’t have to wait for permission. They just have to be willing to pay, recruit, and move fast.