The Steelers attacked this offseason with one key focus — fixing their NFL worst run defense from 2021.
While they added players via free agency, changed defensive coordinators and addressed vacancies in the NFL Draft, perhaps no bigger addition was made than the hiring of Brian Flores.
A defensive mind who learned from Bill Belichick in New England and moved on to have a fairly successful run and controversial ending as a head coach in Miami, Flores is receiving rave reviews from Steelers players throughout their offseason work.
"He’s a bulldog,” safety Terrell Edmunds said. “Just the way he talks, you can tell that he’s got the military mentality. He wants everything to be on point. He’s not letting anybody slack off. We need that."
“He’s very detailed, clear cut,” added linebacker Myles Jack, who says that Flores’ addition was a selling point on him signing with Pittsburgh as a free agent this spring. “There’s no grey area with him. I think that’s great. In this offseason we’ve been able to fine tune a bunch of things. We know what’s right and what’s not right.”
Flores’ title is senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. But, while it will be Teryl Austin who calls the plays and schemes the defense as that side’s coordinator, Flores appears ready to play a major role.
“He’s added so much value,” outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said. “I’m just thankful for (Steelers coach Mike Tomlin) bringing him in. Him being in the linebacker room, he’s working with inside and outside linebackers. Being able to go with him, it’s been really cool. I’ve already learned so much from him.”
“I can see why he’s been a head coach in this league. He’s very knowledgeable of the game.”
Flores went 24-25 as Miami’s coach from 2019 through 2021. From his first season to his second, he improved the Dolphins’ win total by five games. Last season, Miami finished 9-8, but ended the season 8-1.
Reports have surfaced that Flores’ strict demeanor bordered on being over-the-top at times, and that players became disgruntled.
Recently, the personal trainer of Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Nick Hicks, appeared on the “Phinside the NFL” podcast and ripped Flores by sharing conversations he had with former Dolphins wide receiver Albert Wilson.
“(Wilson) said you had to walk in single-file lines down the hallways, nobody was talking, everyone just walking on pins and needles,” Hicks said.
Flores, after his dismissal, filed a class-action lawsuit against the Dolphins, the NFL, as well as the New York Giants and Denver Broncos, claiming racial discrimination during his firing and during the interview process, as he attempted to attain a head coaching job elsewhere.
Even with the suit ongoing, Tomlin hired Flores, a surprising move given the often subservient nature of the NFL.
“I think he’s a big, big addition to the Steelers,” said linebacker Devin Bush, who may benefit most from Flores after a dreadful 2021 season. “Having him in our room is outstanding. He’s a guy that’s real football minded. He loves the game. You can ask him any kind of question, have any type of discussion with him. You can talk about football and life. I think he’s a real good addition to our squad.”
How much influence Flores has will be an intriguing storyline throughout this season. Tomlin is viewed as more of a player-friendly leader. It’s what has endeared the veteran coach to players, but is also looked at as a detriment, at times. Perhaps the addition of Flores will bring with it more discipline to Tomlin’s defense, and Tomlin’s more relaxed ways will, in turn, rub off on Flores some.
"I love sharpening my sword on his and gaining a perspective that his experiences provide, that wise counsel,” Tomlin told reporters at the NFL’s league meetings in March.
“He’s a head coach,” Jack added of Flores. “His perspective, his approach is going to be more clear cut. ‘This is what it is, this is what it’s not.’ I enjoy that, because I know exactly what I’m doing and I can play fast. It’s been great.”