Revisiting Brian Flores three years with the Miami Dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 15: Head Coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins speaks with Tua Tagovailoa #1 during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 15: Head Coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins speaks with Tua Tagovailoa #1 during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
1 of 3
Brian Flores
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Head coach Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins looks on prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Brian Flores has filed a class-action lawsuit against three NFL teams, including the Miami Dolphins. One accusation alleges Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross incentivized Flores with $100,000 for every game he tanked during the 2019 season. There isn’t any proof, but if you follow the story close enough, you’ll see a connection between tanking, Tua Tagovailoa, Chris Grier, and Brian Flores.

On February 4, 2019, the Miami Dolphins signed a former Patriot defensive assistant Brian Flores as their head coach. Grier stripped the roster of several first-round talents. Long-time quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, was cut and signed by the Titans — he made the playoffs.

Laremy Tunsil and Minkah Fitzpatrick were two other young staples who got traded to the Texans and Steelers, respectively. Both of the aforementioned players made Pro Bowls.

Naturally, Flores’ career got off to a historically poor start. In Flores’ first three games, his team was outscored 133 to 26. Grier’s decision to strip the roster down had NFL media ablaze. They destroyed the Dolphins, accusing them of tanking, including ESPN’s Domonique Foxworth, who said the practice was unethical. Who could blame him?

Grier did everything he could to blow up the Fins roster, and the Fins were getting destroyed. Was it all for a quarterback Flores never wanted, Tua Tagovailoa?

After Flores’ release, reports surfaced he wasn’t getting along with people, including his starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. That’s where it gets interesting. What if I told you it all stemmed from Flores being asked to Tank for Tua?