Just when you thought the Black Monday chaos was over, it strikes again. Mike Tomlin informed the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday that he is stepping down as head coach after the team's blowout Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.
It's the end of a historic 19-year run that featured a Super Bowl win in 2008, another Super Bowl appearance in 2010, and eight NFC North titles.
Early reporting hints that Tomlin could enter the broadcasting space before potentially coaching again in 2027. The Dallas Cowboys seemingly don't have to worry about Tomlin joining the NFC, but Tomlin's exit could screw them out of landing their dream defensive coordinator.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has already connected Brian Flores with the Steelers vacancy, with a high-level executive telling him that Flores to Pittsburgh "makes too much sense."
Steelers could screw Cowboys if they hire Brian Flores to replace Mike Tomlin
That would be highly unfortunate.
Flores previously coached under Tomlin as the Steelers' defensive assistant and linebackers coach in 2022. He joined Pittsburgh the same year as general manager Omar Khan, so there is already familiarity with both the GM and owner Art Rooney.
The Cowboys have yet to request an interview with Flores, but that figures to change soon. The Ravens are currently the only known team to have formally sought permission to interview him for their head coaching vacancy, though Flores has also been linked to the Raiders.
The Steelers only just released a statement on Tomlin's departure. They will likely take the next 24 to 48 hours to assess the coaching market and get started on the interview process.
READ MORE: Cowboys' DC search takes concerning turn with fourth interview confirmed
The Cowboys would be smart to submit their request sooner rather than later. The further they fall behind in the sweepstakes, the harder it becomes to convince Flores to take the job.
The key variable in all of this is whether Flores wants to be a head coach again. He was fired after three seasons as the Dolphins' HC amid speculation that his relationship with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had fractured. His 24-25 record did not help his case.
Not that it was ever truly tainted, but Flores has unquestionably restored his standing around the NFL through his work on Mike Tomlin’s staff and three excellent seasons as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. He's one of the more respected coaches in the league, and it's only a matter of time until another team scoops him up ... if he doesn't re-up with Minnesota.
Jerry Jones need to spring into action before it's too late.