The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an unfamiliar spot going into the offseason.
That's because the team is now looking for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin decided to step down after 19 seasons with the team.
When the Steelers do hire their next head coach, it will be just the fourth the franchise has brought in since 1969, which is astounding to think about.
In the wake of Tomlin stepping down, USA TODAY's Jack McKessy predicted the team would hire Minnesota Viking defensive coordinator Brian Flores as the next head coach.
Here's McKessy's thoughts on Flores, who is set to be a free agent because 2025 was the final year of his contract with the Vikings:
Flores not only was Minnesota's defensive coordinator for the last three seasons, he also spent a year on Tomlin's coaching staff in Pittsburgh as the Steelers' senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. In his three seasons designing the Vikings defense, Minnesota never ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in average yards or points allowed to opponents. The Flores-led Vikings defense hit its best marks in 2025, finishing the year ranked third in average yards (282.6) and seventh in average points (19.6) allowed.
To add some legitimacy to this prediction, NFL insider Jordan Schultz said that "it would not be a surprise" if Flores gets a "real look" from the Steelers.
“That makes too much sense,” a high-level executive said to Schultz.
As McKessy notes, Flores was indeed on Tomlin's staff back in 2022 as a defensive assistant and the linebackers coach after he was fired by the Miami Dolphins following three seasons as the head coach.
In those three seasons, Flores posted a 24-25 record, including two winning seasons before he was ousted. The Dolphins did not make the playoffs under Flores.
Flores remains one of the best and most respected defensive play-callers in the NFL, which makes him a good fit for the Steelers, whose strength is defense.
Since taking over in Minnesota in 2023, the Vikings have routinely had one of the better defenses in the league. In 2025, Minnesota ranked third in total yards given up per game, second in passing yards, 21st in rushing yards and seventh in points.
While we're still very early in the process of the Steelers finding their next head coach, it's logical to think Flores will at least get a look from Pittsburgh given his existing connection to the franchise.
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