Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is thought to be a “serious contender” to succeed Mike Tomlin as the Steelers’ head coach, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.
Flores, 44, was one of the first coaches to receive interest from the Steelers after Tomlin’s stunning departure. He is set to visit Pittsburgh this week for an in-person interview. That meeting will be a reconnection rather than an introduction, as Flores previously served as the Steelers’ senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022.
His familiarity with the franchise could be a strong factor in his candidacy. Flores arrived in Pittsburgh in February 2022 shortly after he was fired by the Dolphins. In the interim, he launched a lawsuit against the NFL and three specific teams – the Dolphins, Giants, and Broncos – which made him a persona non grata across the league. He reached out to Tomlin for advice on getting another coaching job, and Tomlin offered him a job with the approval of owner Art Rooney II.
Flores was able to turn that lifeline into the Vikings defensive coordinator job in 2023, again with Tomlin’s support. Flores found plenty of success in Minnesota, which, along with public endorsements from Tomlin and Kevin O’Connell, has raised his standing around the league considerably.
But with the lawsuit still winding its way through the courts – including a stop at the Supreme Court – owners may be hesitant to sign off on hiring Flores for their head coaching gig. He has received plenty of interest from teams looking for defensive coordinators, but only one other interview for a head coaching vacancy (from the Ravens). But the Steelers were the first team willing to take a chance on Flores after he left Miami, so they may be willing to bring him aboard once again.
In terms of both football and culture, Flores feels like an excellent match for the Steelers. His aggressive, blitz-heavy style will fit Pittsburgh’s roster well, and his familiarity with Tomlin will help him uphold the culture established by the longtime head coach.
Yeah this feels like a perfect fit.
The one guy the Tomlin bashers would want less than Tomlin.
Please.
Also, a good hire on the merits. His Dolphins overachieved.
Please no.. Its 2026 hire a offensive mind Coach times have Changed
The final 4 is 2 defense and 2 offense minded coaches. They likely teams to advance Aretha defensive.
Absolute perfect fit
Good fit, but they need a young cheap QB bad. Defense is old, expensive, and not championship caliber
Flores should get another chance. His people skills must have gotten better, he was 10-6 got fired. A team is about to give Matt Nagy another chance for FS. Daboll may get a chance after just being fired.
I would be ok with this if I knew who is OC was going to be. Hope he has a young offensive mind for this team.
Im still pushing for Shula. I’ve read reports that flores has a history of not getting along with some of his players. Even went as telling his Miami qb tua that he stunk. Risky hire.
He wasn’t wrong on Tua though lol
Better hire him or he’ll sue.