Timing of head coach interviews depends on Vikings-Lions outcome - ESPN

There's more than just the NFC North title and No. 1 seed at stake Sunday night when the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings.

There's also the timing of when coveted assistants from the Lions and Vikings staffs can interview for head coaching jobs. Coaches from the winning team will be cleared to interview three days after the game, while coaches from the losing team must wait until at least three days after next weekend's wild-card games conclude.

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores are considered three of the top head coaching candidates in the upcoming hiring cycle across league circles.

The NFL's head coach interview rules allow the winner of Sunday night's game to get a quicker chance at doing a virtual interview with another organization.

In the past, some, if not the majority, of head coaching openings usually were filled by or shortly after the divisional round. But now, the NFL is not even allowing in-person interviews until after that round is completed.

Assistant coaches on Sunday night's winning team, the NFC's No. 1 seed, can begin doing virtual head coach interviews as soon as Wednesday and conclude them before the end of next weekend's wild-card games.

Assistant coaches on Sunday night's losing team, the NFC's No. 5 seed, can begin doing virtual head coaching interviews three days after their wild-card game and conclude them before the end of the divisional playoff games.

Only virtual interviews are allowed before the conclusion of the divisional round on Jan. 19. In-person interviews can begin Jan. 20, after the divisional round for coaches whose seasons have concluded.

No second interviews will be allowed