The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines this week by hiring Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, opting for the veteran offensive mind over Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores-a move that raised eyebrows across the league.
Flores, widely regarded as one of the top defensive strategists in the game, had been seen as a strong candidate to land another head coaching gig this offseason. But when the Steelers made their decision, they leaned into experience and offensive pedigree, betting on McCarthy’s track record to guide a team that believes it’s built to win now.
So why McCarthy over Flores?
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, it all comes down to Pittsburgh’s current mindset. Steelers owner Art Rooney made it clear following Mike Tomlin’s departure that the franchise wasn’t interested in a rebuild.
This is a team that just won the AFC North. They believe they’re in position to compete immediately, and they wanted a head coach who could step in and keep the momentum going-particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
McCarthy, with his Super Bowl ring and long history of working with quarterbacks, checked those boxes. He’s been through the wars.
He’s developed signal-callers. And while no one’s officially linking him to a potential Aaron Rodgers reunion, the connection is hard to ignore.
McCarthy and Rodgers had a long, if sometimes complicated, run together in Green Bay. If Rodgers decides he’s not done yet and wants to make a move, the familiarity with McCarthy and his system could be a factor.
Still, this is a high-stakes gamble for the Steelers. If their assessment of the roster is off-if they’re closer to retooling than contending-then bypassing Flores could come back to haunt them.
Flores is the kind of coach who can build a tough, disciplined foundation, especially on defense. He’s shown that in Minnesota, where he’s helped turn the Vikings' defense into a unit that punches above its weight.
And here’s where the Vikings benefit.
With McCarthy off the board and no other teams currently pursuing Flores for a head coaching role, Minnesota looks poised to retain one of the sharpest defensive minds in the league. Flores recently signed a contract extension, so unless something unexpected changes, he’ll be back on the sideline in purple and gold next season.
That’s a big win for the Vikings, who are still figuring out their offensive identity-particularly at quarterback and in the passing game. While the offense gets sorted out, Flores gives Minnesota a stabilizing force on the other side of the ball. His aggressive, adaptable schemes have already made a difference, and having him back for another year gives the team a real chance to build continuity on defense.
In the end, Pittsburgh made a move that reflects a win-now mentality. Minnesota, meanwhile, quietly walks away with a major asset still in-house.
If Flores continues to elevate the Vikings' defense the way he has, it won’t be long before head coaching offers come calling again. But for now, Minnesota’s defense remains in good hands-and that’s something fans in the Twin Cities can feel good about.