Former NY Jets QB slams top head coach candidate for being a 'dictator'

Brian Flores has emerged as one of the top head coach candidates in this year's coaching carousel. The NY Jets are one of a few teams to already request an interview with the current Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator.

Flores has rehabilitated his image with stints in Pittsburgh and Minnesota, but not everyone is willing to overlook how his tenure with the Miami Dolphins ended. Count former Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick among those who still hold a grudge.

Fitzpatrick, who crossed paths with Flores in Miami, spoke about his former coach on a recent episode of the Fitz & Whit podcast with Andrew Whitworth. It's safe to say he didn't have many nice words for his ex-coach.

Fitzpatrick slammed Flores for being a "dictator" in Miami, insisting that he became "unrecognizable" as his Dolphins tenure went on. According to Fitzpatrick, Flores "burned a lot of bridges, alienated himself from his staff, and didn’t have the humility to ask questions and collaborate."

That's a scolding assessment from someone who worked closely with Flores just a few years ago. Fitzpatrick issued a warning to the Jets or any NFL team looking to hire the former Dolphins coach.

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Brian Flores remains a top candidate for the NY Jets head coach job

Flores spent the first decade of his NFL career with the New England Patriots, working his way up from a special teams assistant to the team's linebackers coach before he was hired to become the next Dolphins head coach in 2019.

Flores initially received plenty of praise around the league for his ability to overachieve with an inept Dolphins roster. Fitzpatrick was complimentary of Flores' early years in Miami, stating he was "likable, relatable, and demanded a lot but was able to get the best version of the players."

But over time, Flores started to bring in more and more of his staff from New England and became, in Fitzpatrick's own words, something of a "dictator." Fitzpatrick claimed Flores' "ego grew so big that there wasn't room for anyone else." That's not what you want to hear about a prospective head coach candidate.

Flores' poor relationship with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been well documented and was one of the reasons he was ultimately fired. Fitzpatrick isn't wrong in saying his former coach alienated a good portion of the locker room by the end of his time with the Dolphins.

The hope among NFL teams is that Flores has learned and grown since his days in Miami. He served as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 before landing the Vikings DC job in 2023.

Flores has had the opportunity to learn under two highly respected coaches in Mike Tomlin and Kevin O'Connell. He's been able to witness different coaching styles, and the belief around the league is that he's a better coach because of it.

Fitzpatrick later clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that he still "really likes" Flores and "considers him a friend." He even admitted that he thinks Flores has grown since his Dolphins stint.

The NFL is hoping that Fitzpatrick is right in that assertion. The Jets, who reportedly view Flores as one of their top candidates, are hoping the same.

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