Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores has been hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. The move might be great as it’ll improve the Steelers’ coaching staff but it does create a potentially awkward future encounter.
All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and Flores have a…past. When Flores was hired to be the Dolphins head coach in 2019, it was very early during the regular season that Fitzpatrick requested a trade as he was reportedly “unhappy with playing multiple positions.” A few days later, Fitzpatrick was traded to the Steelers.
Nearly a year later, Fitzpatrick did an in-depth interview with Bleacher Report and confirmed that he felt he was being misused by Flores as he moved to strong safety and was more of a linebacker than anything. Essentially, Flores wanted Fitzpatrick to play in a “Patrick Chung type” role for Miami and Fitzpatrick felt that Flores wasn’t utilizing his strengths and didn’t bother to change those plans, instead wanting to go to a place that would play more to his strengths.
Many on social media remembered that and are wondering just how things will go down when the two are reunited in Pittsburgh.
Brian Flores when he see’s Minkah in the Steelers locker room for the first time pic.twitter.com/VRiqIjHhHS
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) February 19, 2022
Minkah first day of training camp pic.twitter.com/pc26FBdRVP
— Lxwkey 𓅓 (@TuatoJaylen) February 19, 2022
Adding Brian Flores to the defensive staff is a win for the Steelers in every way, but I’d love to be a fly on the wall for Flores’ first conversation with Minkah Fitzpatrick.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) February 19, 2022
When Minkah sees Flores walk into the Steelers facility pic.twitter.com/piTk5wHlHW
— We Don't Talk About Turo (@turo23) February 19, 2022
Minkah Fitzpatrick’s mom right now: pic.twitter.com/hmstv0wPPZ
— Big E (@ian693) February 19, 2022
When Minkah’s parents see the Flores news pic.twitter.com/xeqwDmN3As
— Bobby Shouse (@B_Shousejr) February 19, 2022
Minkah Fitzpatrick just dropped to his knees crying, puking, and punching air https://t.co/GK2mUy5eHk
— Riley O'Brien (@Ri_S_OB) February 19, 2022
Minkah when he sees Flores pull up to meetings pic.twitter.com/ugym0QArQB
— Austin B. Fox (@FoxinAround) February 19, 2022
Minkah Fitzpatrick after seeing Flores first day of training camp pic.twitter.com/ZP1cIay61O
— Pyro🐬🔥 (@Pyro_mancer305) February 19, 2022
To be completely honest, there’s a good chance nothing happens. For one thing, Flores isn’t directly coaching Fitzpatrick. Second, Fitzpatrick became an All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl twice since that trade so Fitzpatrick was right to remain at free safety. Third, this was three years ago so it’s possible that time heals all wounds. And if that didn’t happen, well Mike Tomlin has dealt with potentially worse locker room situations so there’s a pretty good chance he’ll get them to make up if it has to come to that.
