The Pittsburgh Steelers are inching closer to naming their next head coach, and the search is narrowing. Chris Shula continues to be a strong contender, but Brian Flores - the current defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings and a former senior defensive assistant in Pittsburgh - remains firmly in the conversation. And for good reason: Flores brings a defensive identity that’s aggressive, disciplined, and distinctively his own.
Flores’ scheme is arguably the purest version of a 3-4 defense in today’s NFL, and his philosophy is built on pressure. His Vikings defense led the league with a 44.3 percent blitz rate this season, according to Pro Football Reference.
That’s not just aggressive - it’s Blitzburgh-level aggressive. If the Steelers are looking to recapture some of the defensive swagger that defined their best teams, Flores certainly fits the mold.
But as the Steelers weigh their options, some recent commentary from inside league circles could give them reason to pause.
Mike Pettine, who served as the Vikings’ assistant head coach and outside linebackers coach, recently spoke about Flores during an interview with Adam “the Bull” Gerstenhaber on the Ultimate Cleveland Guardians Show. When asked about working alongside Flores, Pettine didn’t offer the usual diplomatic praise that coaches often give - even when they don’t mean it.
“Uh, probably not many that I would prefer to share,” Pettine said. “I mean, we didn't see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, and that's why I spent this past year on offense... I'll take the high road on that one.”
That’s not nothing.
Pettine and Flores shared a coaching staff for three years, and for Pettine to sidestep the question entirely - rather than offer even a generic endorsement - says a lot. He didn’t go into specifics, but the subtext is clear: their working relationship wasn’t smooth. And that matters when you’re talking about a head coaching candidate.
The Steelers know Flores. He was on staff in 2022 as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach.
While there were no public issues during his time in Pittsburgh, it was a short stint - and a limited sample size doesn’t always tell the full story. Flores brought value during that season, especially in helping develop the linebacking corps, but it’s fair to wonder whether a longer tenure might have revealed deeper friction.
This isn’t uncharted territory for the Steelers. Think back to Todd Haley, the former offensive coordinator.
His offense produced results, but his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger was strained, and reports of tension behind the scenes were frequent. Haley’s tenure showed that even when the on-field product is working, friction within the building can create long-term headaches.
So, the question becomes: would hiring Flores bring back the kind of defensive identity the Steelers crave - or would it also bring internal challenges that could complicate the team’s future?
To be clear, Pettine’s comments don’t disqualify Flores as a candidate. For all we know, he may be the only one in Minnesota’s building who felt that way. But when a coach who worked directly with a candidate for multiple seasons chooses silence over support, it’s worth noting.
The Steelers are a franchise built on stability and cohesion. Flores brings a high football IQ, a proven defensive pedigree, and familiarity with the organization. But culture fit matters - especially in Pittsburgh, where the standard is the standard, and locker room harmony is often just as important as Xs and Os.
If Flores is indeed the pick, the Steelers will be betting that his defensive brilliance outweighs any potential friction. But as they make this critical decision, they’ll have to weigh not just the scheme he brings - but the dynamics he might bring with it.