The most likely scenario that was expected to play out regarding Brian Flores has come to fruition.
Flores is accepting the offer from Minnesota to become their new defensive coordinator, the Vikings announced Monday.
Flores was always going to be a hot commodity on the coaching market this offseason. Before accepting the job as senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Steelers last offseason, Flores spent three seasons as the head coach of the Dolphins, leading them to 10-6 and 9-8 records in the final two years, respectively, before Miami made the controversial decision to fire him.
This offseason, Flores interviewed for the Cardinals' head coaching vacancy and interviewed for defensive coordinator positions for the Browns and Falcons. Flores was also set to interview for the Broncos' defensive coordinator job and have a second interview with the Cardinals, but ultimately decided to accept the Vikings' offer.
In just one season, Flores made quite an impact in Pittsburgh, which made it all the more likely that he'd earn a step up elsewhere in 2023. Steelers players raved about Flores and his contributions over the course of the year. And with him on the coaching staff, the Steelers' defense improved from a 24th-ranked group in 2021 to 13th in 2022. The biggest turnaround came on run defense, where the Steelers ranked ninth in the NFL after finishing dead last in rushing yards allowed and yards per carry against in 2021.
Flores' departure is definitely a hit for the Steelers' coaching staff, and it's unclear which direction Mike Tomlin will go regarding his final decisions on the entire 2023 coaching staff. He also got to see firsthand how secondary coach Grady Brown performed as defensive coordinator for the National team in the Senior Bowl, along with how assistant outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin performed under Brown as linebackers coach in Mobile.
Interestingly enough, Tomlin previously served as the Vikings' defensive coordinator before accepting the job as the Steelers' head coach in 2007.
The Steelers do not get any draft pick compensation for Flores leaving because he's not leaving for a head coaching position, and, more importantly, he was not with the Steelers organization for the necessary two full seasons.
