No one should be surprised that Pittsburgh Steelers' senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach, Brian Flores is headed to a different organization after just one year. He is way too talented of a coach to not have a more significant role in the NFL.
On Monday, it was reported that the Minnesota Vikings have apparently landed him as their new defensive coordinator. The loss of Flores won't ruin Pittsburgh's defense in any way, but it's hard to replace a bright, defensive mind like him in the coaching room. The result in that will be a whole lot more pressure on a specific leader on the staff.
Photo Credit: Emily Matthews / Post-Gazette
In 2021, the Steelers allowed the most rushing yards in the entire league. Fast forward a year later and first-year defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin and Flores helped lead a completely different unit in 2022. The group was in the top ten in the NFL in rushing yards allowed and without a doubt more consistent under the new leadership.
With Flores being a bigger name than Austin, it almost seemed like the majority of attention during broadcasts and from the media was pointed at the assistant and not the guy with a more recognizable title. Many gave Flores a ton of credit, but Austin's name was rarely mentioned throughout the year due to his colleague's name.
Now that Flores is moving on to Minnesota, the only two people expected to have a significant presence in the defensive decision-making process for the Steelers will be Austin and head coach, Mike Tomlin. This now opens the door for Austin to absolutely thrive, but also puts him in a little more of a spotlight than his first season at the helm in 2022.
Steelers former senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach, Brian Flores grasps a football during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Associated Press
Austin isn't on the hot seat, but there were certain games that the defense wore down towards the end of games in 2022 and couldn't get a stop when the team needed one most. That is one thing that needs to be corrected come September as the Steelers most likely would have been a playoff team if not for breaking down later in a couple of contests.
This is not implying Austin isn't fit for the job. He has been in the NFL as a coach for nearly two decades and was comfortable, yet made the decision to jump into Keith Butler's old role in 2022. That still doesn't discount the fact that one of the better assistants in the entire league is now leaving the building, putting a lot more pressure on Austin to lead an improved defense in 2023.
The defense benefited from edge rusher, TJ Watt returning after he suffered a pectoral injury. He returned following the bye week and the defense has a ton of talent all over the place to not be a top unit going forward. Flores was the second biggest name on the coaching staff aside from Tomlin and now Austin will jump into that role, barring another coaching hire.
Steelers defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin looks on and points at one of the team's practices. | Photo Credit: Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tomlin will continue to play a huge part in the Steelers' defensive game plan, but Austin will be his right-hand man and without a senior defensive assistant in play (as of now), the duo will be tasked with repeating and building off of the success in 2022 without Flores, who was definitely a big reason for it. Austin's job title stays the same, but his role expands and is under more of a microscope in 2023.
Do you think Austin will be under more of a spotlight in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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