Getty Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.
On Tuesday, February 1, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL alleging a pattern of racism and discrimination across the league’s hiring process. In the lawsuit, Flores alleged the New York Giants had already decided to hire Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll for their head coaching vacancy prior to conducting a “sham” interview with him on January 27.
The Giants released a statement shortly after the news broke voicing belief in their hiring process, which ultimately led to Daboll’s being named the successor to Joe Judge, who was fired January 11. Jordan Raanan, who covers the Giants for ESPN, tweeted:
We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll. We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the eleventh hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach.
At least one Giants veteran voiced support for Flores in an evening tweet on February 1.
Nate Solder to Flores: ‘I Got Your Back Coach’
Offensive tackle Nate Solder played for the New England Patriots from 2011 to 2017 while Flores was an assistant there.
“B Flo has always been a man of conviction and character. I am proud of him for risking so much and standing for truth and justice at great risk and cost to himself and his family. I got your back coach,” Solder tweeted.
Solder, 33, was a first-round pick in 2011. He started 95 games for the Patriots before signing with the Giants as a free agent in 2018.
Devin McCourty, a star safety and three-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots, echoed Solder’s take, tweeting on February 1: “Flo has always been a special individual … has been pivotal in my career and love that I can support him for calling out what we all already know.”
Solder Done in New York?
For what it’s worth, Solder’s days with the Giants are likely nearing an end. Arguably the most atrocious free agency gaffe of Dave Gettleman’s tenure in New York, Solder was handed a $62 million contract ($35 million guaranteed) in 2018. Aside from opting out of the 2020 NFL season due to concern over the COVID-19 pandemic, Solder has gone on to start 48 of 49 potential games since his signing. However, his play has drastically fallen off from his New England days, culminating in a career-worst 60.3 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2021 with six sacks surrendered.
There’s a high probability that Solder decides to hang it up this offseason. He had contemplated retirement last offseason. Yet, even if Solder decides to give things another go in 2022, the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent will likely be doing so elsewhere.
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