The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially in head coach hunting mode, and they’re starting with a familiar face. According to reports, the team is set to meet with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores this week as they begin the search to replace longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, who recently stepped down.
This isn’t just a courtesy interview. Flores brings serious credentials to the table - both from his time in Pittsburgh and across a well-traveled, well-respected NFL coaching résumé.
The Steelers know him well. He was on their staff just a few seasons ago, serving as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022.
Now, he’s back in the conversation - this time, for the top job.
Flores’ coaching journey started in New England, where he spent over a decade climbing the ladder under Bill Belichick. From 2008 to 2018, he worked his way up from special teams assistant to linebackers coach, contributing to multiple Super Bowl-winning teams. That experience laid the foundation for his first head coaching opportunity in Miami.
With the Dolphins from 2019 to 2021, Flores inherited a rebuilding team and quickly turned them into a tough out, especially on defense. His overall record in Miami - 24-25 - doesn’t tell the whole story.
He took a bottom-tier defense and transformed it into a top-10 unit in several key categories. His teams played with grit and discipline, and his defensive schemes were consistently among the league’s most creative.
After his stint in Miami, Flores made a quick stop in Pittsburgh before landing in Minnesota as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator in 2023. And it’s in Minnesota where his coaching stock has surged again.
Over the past three seasons, Flores has orchestrated a defensive turnaround that’s hard to ignore. His units have thrived on pressure - blitz-heavy, aggressive, and unpredictable.
The Vikings’ defense didn’t just improve; it became one of the most feared in the league.
In 2025, even as Minnesota’s offense sputtered and the team finished 9-8, Flores’ defense was elite. They ranked fifth in total defense, third against the pass (allowing just 158.5 yards per game), tied for fourth in sacks with 49, and excelled in red-zone efficiency. At one point, they went on an impressive run of games without allowing a single passing touchdown - a testament to both scheme and execution.
That kind of performance hasn’t gone unnoticed. Flores is widely viewed as a top-tier head coaching candidate this offseason. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has reportedly made it clear he wants to keep Flores in Minnesota, but with the Steelers now in the mix, things could get interesting.
For Pittsburgh, this is more than just a reunion. Flores checks a lot of boxes: defensive pedigree, head coaching experience, familiarity with the organization, and a proven ability to elevate talent. As the Steelers look to chart their next chapter post-Tomlin, Flores could be the kind of steady, battle-tested leader who fits right into the franchise’s no-nonsense identity.
The meeting is set for Tuesday. And while it’s still early in the process, don’t be surprised if Brian Flores emerges as a serious contender to lead the Steelers into their next era.