If there are any hard feelings between Minkah Fitzpatrick and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, the Steelers star put those rumors to rest on Thursday.
Minkah Fitzpatrick on Brian Flores: "Coach Flo, he's a piece that we really needed. He's a detail-oriented coach. he's not a guy that's going to let things get brushed to the side. He's direct."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 16, 2022
Fitzpatrick was a first-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2018 but was later traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the time of the trade, Fitzpatrick felt as if the Dolphins and Flores didn’t use him correctly and that the pair didn’t see eye-to-eye.
Fireworks went off between Minkah Fitzpatrick and Brian Flores in Miami — But now things sound a lot different with #Steelers https://t.co/5JgdpQTftl
— SteelerNation (@SteeIerNation) June 16, 2022
Flores is now a defensive assistant and linebacker coach for the Steelers, which means he’ll be working directly with Fitzpatrick. The recently resigned safety says he has evolved as a player and as a person since he came to Pittsburgh.
I’ve evolved a lot,” Fitzpatrick said. “My first game as a Steeler in San Francisco was my first time playing full-time free safety. My first two games in Miami I was moving around a bit, and that was the only time I played free safety before in the league. I played there in like four games in college. But I think from that time now, I’ve learned the type of player I am. I’ve learned my strengths and weaknesses. I feel like being able to form my identity has helped me evolve into the player I am today.”
And as far as his relationship with Flores goes, Fitzpatrick says things will be just fine.
Minkah Fitzpatrick says he's excited to have Brian Flores on staff. Mentions that Flores' goal is winning — lines up with what Fitzpatrick said is the thing he loves about the Steelers — their commitment to winning.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 16, 2022
“You know, Coach Flores is a great coach,” said Fitzpatrick. “He’s a smart guy. He’s a guy that lives to a high standard and a piece that I think we really needed. He’s a real detail-oriented guy. He is a detail-oriented coach. He won’t let things get brushed to the side. He is going to address them directly. He might not tell you how you want to hear it, but he’s going to tell you. That’s important to have in the locker room. When you have guys in there with egos and that, he’s still going to get on you. He’s a great coach and I’m excited to have him. He’s focused on winning and I’m happy to have him here.”
Sounds like all is well between the two.
