Potential Steelers head coach candidates: who could replace Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh?
Steelers Nation was stunned on Tuesday after social media reports circulated that Mike Tomlin was stepping down after 19 seasons in Pittsburgh. Adam Schefter, Jeremy Fowler, and multiple insiders broke the news, and the reaction was immediate. The Steelers have been stuck in the same cycle for years. They do enough to stay competitive, sneak into the playoffs, and then get blown out in the Wild Card round. The franchise has not won a playoff game in 9 years, and the season-ending scripts have started to feel like the same rinse-and-repeat every year.
Tomlin is still a great coach. He never had a losing season and brought stability to a franchise that values culture above all else. He’s also a Super Bowl Champion and a future Hall of Famer. But a significant lack of playoff success is not enough for a team with championship expectations. At some point, stability turns into stagnation, and change becomes necessary. It’s a new era in Pittsburgh and potential Steelers head coach candidates will be a hot topic for the next several weeks.
Offensive-minded head coach candidates:
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator
Klint Kubiak is one of the most appealing young offensive candidates the Steelers could target. He is currently the offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks, and he has previous coaching experience with the Saints and Broncos. Kubiak has helped Seattle become one of the most productive offenses in football. The Seahawks rank seventh in total offense and fifth in scoring, showing that they are not just moving the ball, but finishing drives consistently.
What makes Kubiak stand out is that his offense is balanced and dangerous in multiple ways. Seattle’s run game is a legit threat with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet leading the charge, while the passing game has been explosive with Sam Darnold in his first year in the system. Jaxon Smith-Njigba also having a career year shows that the system can elevate talent and produce breakouts.
Kubiak is 38 years old, which fits the Steelers’ preference for younger, rising coaches. He also brings high level pedigree as the son of Gary Kubiak, the Super Bowl 50-winning head coach of the Denver Broncos. That football background matters, because it signals experience in high-level NFL preparation and structure. If the Steelers want a young offensive mind to lead a new regime, Kubiak checks every box. Kubiak is likely a top option for Potential Steelers head coach candidates.
Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
Joe Brady is another high-end offensive option who would modernize Pittsburgh’s approach. Brady is 36 years old and is currently the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills. What makes him impressive is how he consistently finds ways to generate offense even when the roster is not perfect at every spot. The Bills rank number one in rushing, which proves Brady can build a dominant ground attack. At the same time, Buffalo is still a serious threat in the pass game because Brady creates answers for Josh Allen through scheme and design. Even without a stacked wide receiver room, Brady gets production through smart play calling and by consistently getting players open.
He also does a strong job featuring reliable targets like Dalton Kincaid and Khalil Shakir. That matters because it shows Brady can win with tight ends and slot receivers, not just elite outside weapons. For a Steelers team that has struggled to stay consistently explosive offensively, Brady would bring creativity, structure, and modern quarterback-friendly concepts.
Under the Radar Option:
Mike LaFleur, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator
Mike LaFleur is another young offensive mind who should be on Pittsburgh’s shortlist. LaFleur comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, which is one of the most successful pipelines in the NFL. Many coaches who have worked under McVay have gone on to become quality head coaches, and it is easy to see why. Their systems are detailed, aggressive, and built around manipulating defenses. LaFleur is 38 years old and currently serves as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams’ offense has been one of the most dominant units in football this season.
They rank number one in points per game, number one in passing yards, and seventh in rushing yards. That is an elite profile because it proves the Rams are not one-dimensional. They can beat teams through the air, stay efficient on the ground, and consistently score. LaFleur is also the brother of Matt LaFleur, the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, which adds another layer of coaching credibility. If the Steelers want to build an offense that is modern, lethal, and sustainable, Mike LaFleur is a strong candidate.
Defensive-minded head coach candidates:
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
Brian Flores is one of the most respected defensive minds in the NFL, and his reputation is earned. Flores is known for aggressive blitz packages, constant disguise, and an elite ability to confuse quarterbacks before and after the snap. His defenses do not simply react. They attack, they dictate, and they force opposing offenses to play uncomfortable football. Last year, Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel combined for 23.5 sacks. That is the definition of a lethal pass rush, and it highlights how Flores can build stars in his system and create dominant production from his edge defenders. From 2024 through 2025, the Vikings’ defense tied for fourth in sacks. That shows how consistently Flores generates pressure, regardless of opponent.
This year, the Vikings rank third in fewest yards allowed, which shows the defense is not just flashy, but dominant in terms of limiting production. Even more impressive, Minnesota had a six-game stretch where it did not allow a passing touchdown. That is elite defensive coaching, because it reflects coverage discipline, communication, pressure timing, and situational dominance. If Pittsburgh wants a proven defensive leader who can raise the ceiling of the entire unit immediately, Flores is a strong defensive option.
Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator
Jesse Minter is another defensive minded candidate who deserves real consideration, and his rise has been rapid. Minter built major momentum at Michigan, where he helped lead the program to a national championship. After that run, he joined Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers and quickly became one of the most discussed young head coach candidates. The Chargers ranked fifth in total defense at 285.2 yards allowed per game. They ranked fifth in passing defense at 179.9 yards allowed per game, eighth in run defense at 105.4, and ninth in scoring defense at 20.0 points allowed per game.
Those are elite rankings across the board, and it shows Minter is not benefiting from one specific strength. His unit is balanced, disciplined, and capable of shutting teams down in multiple ways. He also has NFL experience from previous roles with the Baltimore Ravens, which adds credibility because it shows he has learned under one of the most respected organizations in football.
Popular name:
Chris Shula, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator
Chris Shula has been a name humming around Pittsburgh for a while now, and the interest makes sense. Shula is a young and upcoming defensive coach, and the Steelers have a history of hiring coaches like that, including Tomlin himself when he was still a rising coordinator.
Shula has strong football roots because his grandfather is Don Shula, the Hall of Fame head coach of the Miami Dolphins. That background matters in these searches because it suggests he has been around elite coaching culture his entire life. The production also backs him up. In 2024, Shula’s Rams defense ranked seventh in sacks, ranked 10th in points allowed, and ranked fifth in turnovers. This season, the Rams defense has been more middle of the pack in total defense and overall yardage, but they remain strong against the run and they still make key plays. They step up when they need to in crucial moments.
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