It didn't take long for the Pittsburgh Steelers to start scheduling interviews after Mike Tomlin decided he would no longer be coaching the team. In need of a head coach, it was only a matter of hours from the Tomlin news before the Steelers began their search.
On Wednesday, we learned that the team requested to bring in a pair of Rams coaches for head coaching interviews—defensive coordinator Chris Shula and passing game coordinator Nate Sheelhaase. Pittsburgh is also slated to meet with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
But the latest interview request from the Steelers is the most obvious head coach candidate possible.
On Wednesday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers have requested to interview Brian Flores for the vacant head coaching job left by Tomlin. Flores, the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, was a senior defensive assistant on the Steelers in 2022.
The Pittsburgh Steelers express interest in Brian Flores as their next head coach
Some Steelers fans are still disgruntled over the team's decision to let the Vikings poach Flores during the 2023 offseason. Pittsburgh elected to keep Teryl Austin at defensive coordinator instead of promoting Flores. Now the team could be looking to make it right.
Flores helped bring success to the Vikings over the past three seasons, and the defense improved in all three years. In 2025, Minnesota finished third in yards allowed and seventh in points allowed. Flores' connection to the Steelers is easy to see. Not only is he a former coach of this team, but the Steelers are likely looking for a young defensive mind who could lead the team in Tomlin's place.
Flores has now produced successful defenses in both Miami (as a head coach) and Minnesota (as a defensive coordinator). It's no surprise that the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in potentially making him their next head coach.
Along with the Steelers, the Washington Commanders have expressed interest in Flores for their vacant defensive coordinator role. Flores could soon have more interviews on the horizon.
The Steelers don't want to make a rash decision with a role as important as head coach, but these vacant coaching roles around the league will soon be filled. Brian Flores being a potential candidate for Pittsburgh shouldn't surprise anyone.