The Atlanta Falcons have accomplished their interview with Pittsburgh Steelers senior defensive assistant and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores for the vacant defensive coordinator place.
The #Falcons interviewed #Steelers senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach Brian Flores for his or her vacant DC job, supply mentioned.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2023
The Atlanta Falcons are on a quest to switch retired defensive coordinator Dean Pees. The staff has already begun requesting interviews. Flores has been a sizzling identify on this yr’s teaching cycle. Regardless of main the Miami Dolphins to back-to-back successful seasons in 2020 and 2021, Miami fired Flores on the finish of the 2021 season.
Following his firing, Flores filed a class-action lawsuit in opposition to the NFL for racist hiring practices, and it’s laborious to argue together with his claims while you take a look at his file. Flores began his teaching profession with the New England Patriots again in 2008. He labored his method as much as linebackers coach earlier than being employed as head coach of the Dolphins in 2019.
If the Falcons are searching for an skilled chief of males to switch Pees, Flores makes loads of sense. He could have some work to do, nonetheless, with this Falcons protection. One can argue that the protection was higher than it has been. There are a few good items on this Falcons protection, together with defensive lineman Grady Jarrett and corner-back A.J. Terrell. That’s just about it although.
Atlanta’s defensive rookies like edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie and Troy Anderson confirmed flashes and have potential to be high quality starters within the NFL. Go rush was a obtrusive concern even with the additions of Lorenzo Carter and Ebiketie.
The Falcons have the eighth general choose within the upcoming NFL Draft. Many mocks draft completed present the staff taking one of many remaining high QBs or an edge rusher. Whereas it won’t be the flashy choose, selecting protection appears to be the transfer. Additionally huge receiver is an enormous want as effectively, so ready on one later within the draft might show useful for this younger staff.
Atlanta remains to be a methods away from competing. Getting a revered coach across the league to run the protection could be a step in the correct course.