Assistant coach could move on from Steelers, but sorry, it’s not Matt Canada

It looks likely Steelers assistant Brian Flores could leave Pittsburgh after interviewing for the Vikings DC job and pursuing head coaching opportunities.

Steelers fans spent much of the fall in a prayer circle hoping to manifest the firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

It didn’t work as Pittsburgh appears content to head into the 2023 season without a change at offensive coordinator.

However, there seems a strong possibility that at least one assistant coach won’t be back next season. That’s because Brian Flores should have opportunities for a promotion.

Brian Flores interviewed for Vikings DC, could leave Steelers

The senior defensive assistant who was in charge of the linebackers in 2022 completed an interview with the Vikings on Thursday. He’s pursuing their open defensive coordinator job.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell is ready to take his time and see how the candidates shake out. So Flores being hired away isn’t necessarily imminent.

He also had an interview with the Cardinals for their head coaching job and for the defensive coordinator gig in Atlanta. He is considered by many to be a finalist for the Arizona opening, though their recent interview with Sean Payton muddles things a bit.

Flores served as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2019 to 2021 after more than a decade of handling a multitude of roles for Bill Belichick’s Patriots from working as a scout to coaching special teams, safeties and linebackers.

Funnily enough, he’s never held a defensive coordinator title. He took over defensive playcalling duties for New England in 2018 while serving as linebackers coach before being tabbed by the Dolphins to take over as their head coach.

The best outcome for the Steelers would be to get Flores back for another year but fans could hardly blame him for taking any opportunities that come his way.