Former NFL QB Fitzpatrick Criticizes Flores’ Leadership Style in Miami

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has opened up about his experience playing under Brian Flores during their time with the Miami Dolphins, describing the coach as both a friend and a “dictator” toward the end of his tenure. Fitzpatrick, who spent two seasons with the Dolphins under Flores, shared his candid thoughts during a recent interview.

“He was likable. He was relatable. He demanded a lot out of the players, but he was also able to get the best version of his players,” Fitzpatrick said. “I really appreciated him for that. But as his tenure went on in Miami, he kind of became unrecognizable.” Fitzpatrick, now an analyst for Amazon Prime Video’s NFL broadcasts, praised Flores as a person but criticized his leadership style, which he said shifted to a “my way or the highway” mentality.

Flores, who began his coaching career with the New England Patriots in 2008, joined the Dolphins in 2019 after serving as the Patriots’ de-facto defensive coordinator. Despite a 24-25 record over three seasons, Flores was unexpectedly fired in 2022. His departure was followed by a lawsuit against the NFL and the Dolphins, alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices. The lawsuit sparked widespread discussion about diversity in the league and led to penalties for the Dolphins related to tampering.

Since leaving Miami, Flores has rebuilt his coaching reputation. After a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he joined the Minnesota Vikings as their defensive coordinator, where he has been credited with revitalizing the team’s defense. As the NFL coaching carousel heats up, Flores is once again being considered for head coaching positions, including a potential return to New England.

Fitzpatrick, however, cautioned teams to carefully evaluate which version of Flores they might be hiring. “I think in the interviews he’ll be likable, he’ll be relatable. But when people say, OK, give me somebody from Miami that coached under you as a reference so we can talk to them, I think he burned a lot of bridges there,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think he alienated himself from the entire staff.”

Flores’ potential return to the Patriots has sparked significant interest, particularly given the team’s defensive struggles in recent seasons. While the Patriots have yet to reach out to Flores for an interview, his experience and defensive expertise make him a compelling candidate for the role.