Current and former Patriots express shock after Brian Flores firing on Twitter

The NFL is a cold business, and the Miami Dolphins proved that with how they handled head coach Brian Flores. Despite the fact that they won eight of their last nine games after a 1-7 start and swept the New England Patriots, the Dolphins apparently saw fit to make a change.

Even after recording a 24-25 record in three seasons with a nonexistent running game, iffy quarterback play, and a bad offensive line, Flores was fired in Miami. Amid reports of a power struggle with GM Chris Grier and friction over quarterback choices, Stephen Ross chose to keep the longtime executive and ditch Flores.

While most Bill Belichick assistant coaches struggle when given the opportunity to take the reins, Flores was doing a fine job in Miami. The firing has made several former Flores players shake their heads in confusion and disgust.

Stephon Gilmore, who was coached up by Flores in his first two seasons with New England, claims that the former Pats assistant is a “great coach” while decrying the decision to let him go as “wild.”

Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who spent two years under Flores in Miami, said that the firing shows what a “cold world” the NFL is.

Both Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty are familiar with Flores, with the latter playing under him in both New England in Miami. J-Mac was surprised with the firing, as a simple “WOW!” encapsulates.

Past and current New England Patriots players support Brian Flores.

Let’s go year-by-year with Flores. In his first season, He went 5-11 with a team that was so bad some were accusing them of outright tanking. Next year, he went 10-6 and was in the playoff hunt until the last week of the season with a rookie quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa. In 2021, he went 9-8 after a 1-7 start, and essentially missed the playoffs after losing to the No. 1 seed Tennessee Titans in Week 17.

When either Tagovailoa or Ryan Fitzpatrick was his starting quarterback, Flores went 22-19 despite the lack of talent around them. That is exceptional coaching any way you slice it.

Past New England assistants have made a habit of returning to Bill Belichick after getting fired from their first head coaching job. Look at Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia.

Flores clearly has the respect of some big names across the league, and his performance in Miami did not warrant a firing. With Adam Schefter reporting that Flores may get another head coach offering, this shows how dysfunctional New England’s rivals to the south are.

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