Brian Flores has always been a coach who sees the bigger picture. And if there’s a phrase that captures his coaching philosophy - and maybe even his career arc - it’s one he borrowed from Mike Tomlin: “Not every meal is a banquet.”
Flores credits Tomlin with the line, and it’s more than just a catchy saying. It’s a mindset - one that’s helped shape Flores’ identity on the sidelines and in meeting rooms. It’s also a nod to the man who gave him a shot when few others would.
After being fired by the Miami Dolphins in 2021 despite a 9-8 finish to a season that started 1-7, Flores found himself on the outside looking in. He filed a lawsuit alleging Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 per loss to tank for draft position. The suit also accused multiple teams of conducting sham interviews to comply with the Rooney Rule - a policy named after the late Steelers owner Dan Rooney that requires teams to interview at least one diverse candidate for head coaching jobs.
That lawsuit made Flores something of a lightning rod in league circles. Despite a strong track record as a defensive mind, head coaching interviews were few and far between.
But one organization didn’t flinch - the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tomlin brought Flores in as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach, and the two quickly formed a bond rooted in mutual respect and shared values.
“Mike T., every meeting you get a nugget,” Flores said last year, reflecting on his time in Pittsburgh. “I’m in there every day writing notes.
It was a great experience. And, yeah, I would say I’ve sampled a few of his nuggets since being there.”
One nugget that stuck: *“Not every play is going to be a sack.” * For Flores, that encapsulates a defensive philosophy built on disruption, not just splash plays.
A tipped pass, a hurried throw, a blown-up run lane - they might not show up in the sack column, but they win downs. They win games.
That mindset came with him to Minnesota, where he took over as defensive coordinator in 2023 after the Vikings moved on from Ed Donatell. The impact was immediate.
Flores brought structure, aggression, and creativity to a defense that had struggled the year before. On Wednesday, the Vikings made it official - he’s staying in town, signing an extension after interviewing with the Washington Commanders for their DC job.
Now, under NFL rules, teams can still interview Flores for head coaching positions despite the extension. That’s because promotions - like moving from coordinator to head coach - are fair game.
What they can’t do is offer him a lateral move. So, for example, Jerry Jones can’t call him up and offer the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator position.
That ship has sailed.
But the head coaching door isn’t closed. Not yet.
Flores has already interviewed in person with both the Ravens and the Steelers - two organizations known for stability and defensive identity. Baltimore, fresh off parting ways with John Harbaugh after an 18-year run, is a fascinating possibility.
But there’s a wrinkle: Harbaugh’s exit was reportedly tied in part to a strained relationship with Lamar Jackson. That history might make the Ravens cautious about hiring Flores, who had his own tensions with Tua Tagovailoa during his time in Miami.
Pittsburgh, though? That’s a different story.
Flores already knows the building. He knows the culture.
He knows the standard. And if the Steelers see him as Tomlin’s successor, it would be a seamless transition - one that keeps the franchise’s defensive DNA intact.
Flores would also likely have a say in choosing the team’s next quarterback, a luxury few incoming head coaches get.
And let’s not forget the weight of the opportunity. Since 1969, the Steelers have had just three head coaches: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin.
That kind of continuity is unheard of in today’s NFL. Stepping into that lineage wouldn’t just be a job - it would be a legacy move.
Still, Minnesota isn’t exactly a bad place to be. Flores has a strong relationship with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, going all the way back to their days in New England when O’Connell was drafted in 2008.
Ownership has shown a willingness to invest in the roster, and the organization clearly values Flores’ contributions. The Vikings didn’t just extend him - they made it clear he’s a cornerstone.
In the NFL, coaches are always tempted by the next big thing - the next title, the next rebuild, the next shot at glory. But Flores has learned from experience.
He’s seen what happens when you chase the wrong opportunity. He’s not just looking for a promotion - he’s looking for the right one.
Because in the end, not every meal is a banquet. But if the right table opens up - especially in Pittsburgh - Flores might just have a seat waiting for him.