Mike Tomlin’s run within the Metal Metropolis has come to an finish.
After 19 seasons, and the day after shedding to the Houston Texans within the Wild Card spherical of the 2026 NFL Playoffs, Tomlin has knowledgeable the crew that he’s stepping down as the pinnacle coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Throughout his almost twenty years in cost, Tomlin leaves behind a document that features a number of playoff appearances in addition to two Tremendous Bowl appearances, together with a win in Tremendous Bowl XLIII.
His departure additionally implies that the Steelers are on the lookout for simply their fourth head coach since 1969, when Chuck Noll started his tenure on the helm in Pittsburgh.
With Tomlin on his method out, the place can Pittsburgh flip subsequent?
Arthur Smith, OC, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers may begin internally, selling offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Smith has been the crew’s offensive coordinator below Tomlin the previous two seasons, serving to Pittsburgh to the playoffs in each of these campaigns. Smith additionally has head teaching expertise, given the three seasons he was in cost in Atlanta with the Falcons.
Smith’s title has additionally come up throughout this hiring cycle, as Smith is ready to interview with the Tennessee Titans job on Wednesday. However a promotion inside Pittsburgh may make sense for the Steelers, to maintain a way of continuity within the constructing.
Mike McDaniel, former HC, Miami Dolphins
As we famous earlier this week, after Mike McDaniel was fired as the pinnacle coach of the Miami Dolphins his title was instantly linked to a number of vacant offensive coordinator jobs, in addition to some jobs that would turn into vacant briefly order.
However McDaniel can also be garnering curiosity as a possible head coach, and relying on how the Steelers need to assault the following few seasons, he could possibly be an possibility in Pittsburgh. Clearly, there may be an open query concerning the quarterback place, and whether or not Aaron Rodgers could be keen on yet another season in black-and-gold. But when Pittsburgh entertains the thought of a rebuild, round a younger quarterback, McDaniel’s background on the offensive facet of the ball and with quarterback growth could possibly be an excellent match.
Brian Flores, DC, Minnesota Vikings
Trying on the different facet of the soccer, Brian Flores could be the very best defensive-minded head teaching candidate this hiring cycle. Flores has discovered a house with the Minnesota Vikings, crafting a protection that frustrates quarterbacks, brings stress from a number of angles, and places the offense in place to achieve success by giving that facet of the soccer brief fields and producing turnovers.
Flores has already accomplished an interview with the Baltimore Ravens — one other AFC North crew on the lookout for a brand new head coach — however the Steelers ought to completely choose up the telephone. As well as, Flores spent a season in Pittsburgh below Tomlin, again in 2022 because the crew’s senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. That got here after his tenure in Miami as their head coach got here to an finish.
Talking of the Ravens …
John Harbaugh, former HC, Baltimore Ravens
Simply days in the past the Baltimore Ravens parted methods with John Harbaugh, within the wake of the crew’s Week 18 loss to those very Steelers. Harbaugh’s prolonged run in Baltimore had come to an finish.
However would Pittsburgh be keen to deliver him again to the AFC North?
His years of expertise could be a plus in any interview, and given Pittsburgh’s emphasis on stability, hiring a head coach with that background could be the right match. However the larger query may once more concentrate on how the Steelers are approaching this offseason. If Pittsburgh is extra of a rebuild than a retooling, they could need to head in a special path with their subsequent head teaching rent.
Chris Shula, DC, Los Angeles Rams
One other fascinating title this hiring cycle is Chris Shula, the 39-year-old defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. Shula has been linked to a number of vacancies over the previous few weeks because the Arizona Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens, the Los Angeles Raiders, and the New York Giants have all submitted requests to interview the defensive coordinator.
Hiring Shula may match with a sample in Pittsburgh. When the crew employed Chuck Noll he was simply 37 years previous, making him the youngest head coach within the NFL. When the crew employed Invoice Cowher he was simply 34 years previous, getting into footwear left behind by a legend.
As for Tomlin, he was employed by the Steelers when he was 34.
However these aren’t the one three coaches employed by the Steelers after they have been of their 30s, as that pattern dates again to among the early days within the group, with coaches corresponding to Walt Kiesling and John Michelosen.
Klint Kubiak, OC, Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed within the NFC, partially due to what Mike Macdonald has crafted on the defensive facet of the ball.
However don’t ignore the job Klint Kubiak has performed with Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ offense. Below his steerage, the crew has constructed a run-heavy offense with an emphasis on play motion, which has gotten essentially the most out of Darnold and given the Seahawks an opportunity to not simply safe the No. 1 seed, however maybe make a deep postseason run.
Kubiak has already entertained interviews with Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami for his or her head teaching jobs, however his profile may match properly in Pittsburgh.
And sure, he’s 38 years previous …
Kelvin Sheppard, DC, Detroit Lions
On the one hand, it could be a 12 months or two forward of schedule for Kelvin Sheppard to step right into a head teaching position. After Aaron Glenn’s departure to New York to take over as head coach of the Jets, the previous linebacker stepped into the defensive coordinator position. Whereas the Lions protection took a s tep again in a couple of completely different classes, Sheppard’s character and power may make him an excellent head teaching candidate, whether or not this cycle or down the longer term.
The Dolphins have already requested an interview with Sheppard, and the Steelers could be sensible to at the very least get in line.
Robert Saleh, DC, San Francisco 49ers
After a tough tenure as the pinnacle coach of the New York Jets, Robert Saleh returned to San Francisco for a season because the defensive coordinator with the 49ers, a place he held earlier than that cease in New York Metropolis.
However after a season on the sidelines in San Francisco, Saleh has once more been linked with open head teaching spots. 5 groups have requested interviews with Saleh, together with the Dolphins, the Falcons, the Titans, the Ravens, and the Cardinals.
Don’t be shocked to see that record develop to 6 now with the opening in Pittsburgh.
In fact, there may be the Rodgers side to this title …
Jesse Minter, DC, Los Angeles Chargers
Jesse Minter has been linked with each open job this cycle, and simply accomplished interviews with the Titans and the Cardinals right this moment.
That speaks to the concept Minter goes to be a head coach sooner reasonably than later. His first cease within the NFL was as a defensive assistant below John Harbaugh in 2017, the place he labored his method as much as turn into the Ravens’ defensive backs coach. Then after a 12 months because the defensive coordinator with Vanderbilt, Jim Harbaugh employed him to be the defensive coordinator in Michigan. Whereas in Ann Arbor, Minter helped ship a nationwide title.
Minter adopted John Harbaugh to Los Angeles, the place he spent the previous two seasons because the crew’s defensive coordinator. Whereas with the Chargers he constructed a powerful protection, which has made him one of many hottest candidates this cycle.
