Are you aware of the fact that Brian Flores actually sued the NFL, and it quite literally became one of the biggest cases in the history of football? Well, this was back in 2022 when he launched the Brian Flores Lawsuit, but it is still now in 2025 that we’re seeing updates of this case. So, if you don’t know what became of this lawsuit and where things stand right now, then just keep on reading.
Who Is Brian Flores?
Flores has been around the NFL for quite some time. He spent more than a decade like from 2008 to 2018, with the mighty New England Patriots before he became head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2019. In three seasons, Flores recorded 24 wins against 25 losses, but two of those were winning seasons, which is in itself quite an achievement.
In 2022, he was fired by the Dolphins. Soon after, he joined the Steelers as a defensive assistant and was hired by the Vikings in 2023 as a defensive coordinator. Even if he was a fine coach, his career was jeopardized by this lawsuit, as going against the NFL so directly might snatch away his prospects of being a head coach.
What Is the Lawsuit About?
According to Flores, essentially, the suit revolves around the NFL’s Rooney Rule, under which teams must interview minority candidates for coaching jobs. Appearance-wise, it looks fine. But Flores argued that most of the teams just brushed it off. Worse, they were conducting sham interviews of minority candidates while the teams had already made up their minds about someone else.
He had named specifically the New York Giants and Denver Broncos for interviews that weren’t sincere. He also said that the reason Houston didn’t hire him was partly because he filed the lawsuit. But with the Dolphins, it went into arbitration-which is a private process favoring the league, given NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s clout within that process.
The lawsuit grew as it was initially filed by Flores, but then other names, such as Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, ensued, proving the assertion that it was not just about Flores.
The Court’s Response in 2023
The case was heard in 2023, and moving towards a partial settlement was allowed by Judge Valerie Caproni. The Judge emphasized that, whereas most NFL players are Black, very few Black men hold the head coaching position, which is a super clear indicator of imbalance.
Her ruling was split: Flores’ dispute with the Dolphins had to go to arbitration, but his claims against the NFL, Giants, Broncos, and Texans could stay in open court. This was a super big thing because it kept the NFL from moving everything behind closed doors.
Major Update from August 2025
August 2025 saw another turn in the case. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Flores’s claims could proceed to open trial. The ruling was significant because the NFL wanted the case hidden in arbitral proceedings in which they customarily exercise control. One of the judges even termed it “arbitration in name only.”
Now, Flores will have the chance to take his case to a proper courtroom, one that the NFL clearly did not want. The league said that they “respectfully disagree” with the decision and that they will keep fighting, but for now, the decision is an unmistakable win for Flores.
Current Status (Late 2025)
Currently, Flores’ claims against the NFL, Giants, Broncos, and Texans are moving toward a full trial. His claims against the Dolphins are still in arbitration. The NFL might mount another appeal, possibly even to the U.S. Supreme Court, but unless they win, this case will remain in open court.