In his end of the year press conference on Monday, head coach, Mike Tomlin referenced that a team has already reached out in regards to Brian Flores. After being fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, the Steelers brought him on board as their linebackers coach this season. While Tomlin didn't reference a specific team, it now has been officially reported.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin creeps onto the field during a 2022 regular game against the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Cleveland Browns have requested permission to interview Flores. With Kevin Stefanski locked in as the Browns' head coach, it's not for that position. Rather, it's for the defensive coordinator position. The report comes just a day after the Steelers defeated the Browns in both teams' final game of the 2022 season.
Cleveland Browns requested permission to interview Steelers’ LB coach Brian Flores for their defensive coordinator job, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2023
From the moment he arrived in Pittsburgh in the summer, Flores received rave reviews. As for the job he did with the linebackers, it came with a mixed bag. Myles Jack was somewhat disappointing in his first season with the team. Robert Spillane continued his underdog story with arguably the best season of his career. Devin Bush failed to take that next step forward, meaning his time with the Steelers may now be over.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores participates in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Mark Robinson is a guy that showed some promise, despite being a seventh-round rookie. He played just one college season at linebacker, but he displayed some physicality that could be useful in the future. Overall, if this does end up being Flores' lone season in Pittsburgh, he provided some much-needed leadership on the defensive side of the ball. That was particularly helpful for Teryl Austin, who was in his first season as defensive coordinator.
Tomlin has been transparent all season about Flores' tenure in Pittsburgh. While he was absolutely thrilled to snatch him up off the coaching free agency market, he was honest that it may be short-tenured. Tomlin believes Flores to be a legitimate head coach, and the teams have already began calling. While it would be quite unfortunate to lose him to an AFC North rival, it's a move that would make a ton of sense for him and the Browns.
How big of a loss would Flores be? If the Browns hire him, who should the Steelers target as their new LB's coach? Would you rather have Flores over Teryl Austin as the DC? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, as well as on our social media sites!
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