Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach, Brian Flores has been making his rounds of interviews ever since the Steelers’ season has ended. He has numerous interviews for defensive coordinator positions, and even a head coach interview for the Arizona Cardinals. Even with all that happening, there is no guarantee that any of these teams will end up hiring him. He had many rounds of head coach interviews with many teams in the 2022, but his lawsuit of the NFL killed any chance he had of securing that role after he was fired by the Miami Dolphins.
Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebackers coach, Brian Flores works with the defense as they go through drills during practice at NFL football training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Aug. 8, 2022. (Keith Srakocic / Associated Press)
How would Flores stay with the Steelers?
Last year, Flores was essentially blackballed by the league since he sued them for giving him fake interviews that the team would use to get by the Rooney Rule. The Steelers only hired Flores since the blackballing drove his value down drastically, so they could easily get him to quickly fix the team. The NFL does not exactly let grudges go, so it’s not unreasonable to say none of these teams will end up hiring Flores. There’s a realistic chance that these interviews are only for the Rooney Rule, which is the exact reason why Flores is suing the NFL.
This should be great news for the Steelers, as they get to keep their appraised coach. Chris Wormley credited Flores for fixing the run defense, as opposed to the current defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin. With a new batch of defensive linemen and linebackers likely coming to Pittsburgh for 2023, the Steelers are going to try and rely on Flores to continue working with them to avoid a massive fall-off in run defense.
Members of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, Chris Wormley (95), Cameron Heyward (97), Stephon Tuitt (91), and T.J. Watt (90) play against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter during an NFL Wild Card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
If Brian Flores stays with the Steelers for one more year and then takes a better job in 2024, the Steelers would receive a pair of third-round picks as compensation, based on the additions to the Rooney Rule. However, as mentioned before, the league might not let their grudge go anytime soon, or at all. The Steelers might just end up keeping Brian Flores on their staff for a very long time. Even if the Steelers can’t get extra draft picks for someone hiring him, they could have a key piece of the coaching staff staying with them for who knows how long.
Flores can be that notable, consistent guy to help keep the Steelers moving. The Steelers haven’t had an assistant that was given a better chance from other teams since Bruce Arians went to the Indianapolis Colts to help develop their new franchise quarterback in Andrew Luck, then getting the head coach gig with the Arizona Cardinals. Whether Flores leaves the Steelers or not, having a coach that other teams want, or at least a coach that the fans of other teams want, is a much needed breath of fresh air for Steeler Nation.
If the NFL does end their grudge with Flores and a team hires him, that would end up being a bigger blow to the team than losing almost any player on the team. He is a highly respected coach that has been credited with fixing a major flaw in the defense while being Teryl Austin’s right hand man. If he leaves, what’s to say that the Steelers don’t go back to the bargain bin and pick up an inexperienced coach to try and fill his shoes? The NFL being salty about being called out is the best case scenario for Pittsburgh and will help keep some of the defense stable.
What do you think of the potential of Brian Flores staying with Pittsburgh? Let us know down in the comments.
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