9 options for Pittsburgh Steelers after Mike Tomlin’s decision

Mike Tomlin’s run in the Steel City has come to an end.

After 19 seasons, and the day after losing to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs, Tomlin has informed the team that he is stepping down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his nearly two decades in charge, Tomlin leaves behind a record that includes several playoff appearances as well as two Super Bowl appearances, including a win in Super Bowl XLIII.

His departure also means that the Steelers are looking for just their fourth head coach since 1969, when Chuck Noll began his tenure at the helm in Pittsburgh.

With Tomlin on his way out, where can Pittsburgh turn next?

Arthur Smith, OC, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers could start internally, promoting offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Smith has been the team’s offensive coordinator under Tomlin the past two seasons, helping Pittsburgh to the playoffs in both of those campaigns. Smith also has head coaching experience, given the three seasons he was in charge in Atlanta with the Falcons.

Smith’s name has also come up during this hiring cycle, as Smith is set to interview with the Tennessee Titans job on Wednesday. But a promotion within Pittsburgh could make sense for the Steelers, to keep a sense of continuity in the building.

Mike McDaniel, former HC, Miami Dolphins

As we noted earlier this week, after Mike McDaniel was fired as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins his name was immediately linked to several vacant offensive coordinator jobs, as well as some jobs that could become vacant in short order.

But McDaniel is also garnering interest as a potential head coach, and depending on how the Steelers want to attack the next few seasons, he could be an option in Pittsburgh. Obviously, there is an open question about the quarterback position, and whether Aaron Rodgers would be interested in one more season in black-and-gold. But if Pittsburgh entertains the idea of a rebuild, around a young quarterback, McDaniel’s background on the offensive side of the ball and with quarterback development could be an ideal fit.

Brian Flores, DC, Minnesota Vikings

Looking at the other side of the football, Brian Flores might be the best defensive-minded head coaching candidate this hiring cycle. Flores has found a home with the Minnesota Vikings, crafting a defense that frustrates quarterbacks, brings pressure from multiple angles, and puts the offense in position to be successful by giving that side of the football short fields and generating turnovers.

Flores has already completed an interview with the Baltimore Ravens — another AFC North team looking for a new head coach — but the Steelers should absolutely pick up the phone. In addition, Flores spent a season in Pittsburgh under Tomlin, back in 2022 as the team’s senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. That came after his tenure in Miami as their head coach came to an end.

Speaking of the Ravens …

John Harbaugh, former HC, Baltimore Ravens

Could it happen?

Just days ago the Baltimore Ravens parted ways with John Harbaugh, in the wake of the team’s Week 18 loss to these very Steelers. Harbaugh’s lengthy run in Baltimore had come to an end.

But would Pittsburgh be willing to bring him back to the AFC North?

His years of experience would be a plus in any interview, and given Pittsburgh’s emphasis on stability, hiring a head coach with that background might be the perfect fit. But the bigger question might again focus on how the Steelers are approaching this offseason. If Pittsburgh is looking at more of a rebuild than a retooling, they might want to head in a different direction with their next head coaching hire.

Chris Shula, DC, Los Angeles Rams

Another fascinating name this hiring cycle is Chris Shula, the 39-year-old defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. Shula has been connected to several vacancies over the past few weeks as 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 might fit with a pattern in Pittsburgh. When the team hired Chuck Noll he was just 37 years old, making him the youngest head coach in the NFL. When the team hired Bill Cowher he was just 34 years old, stepping into shoes left behind by a legend.

As for Tomlin, he was hired by the Steelers when he was 34.

But those are not the only three coaches hired by the Steelers when they were in their 30s, as that trend dates back to some of the early days in the organization, with coaches such as Walt Kiesling and John Michelosen.

Klint Kubiak, OC, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC, in part because of what Mike Macdonald has crafted on the defensive side of the ball.

But do not ignore the job Klint Kubiak has done with Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ offense. Under his guidance, the team has built a run-heavy offense with an emphasis on play action, which has gotten the most out of Darnold and given the Seahawks a chance to not just secure the No. 1 seed, but perhaps make a deep postseason run.

Kubiak has already entertained interviews with Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami for their head coaching jobs, but his profile might fit well in Pittsburgh.

And yes, he is 38 years old …

Kelvin Sheppard, DC, Detroit Lions

On the one hand, it might be a year or two ahead of schedule for Kelvin Sheppard to step into a head coaching role. After Aaron Glenn’s departure to New York to take over as head coach of the Jets, the former linebacker stepped into the defensive coordinator role. While the Lions defense took a s tep back in a few different categories, Sheppard’s personality and energy could make him an ideal head coaching candidate, whether this cycle or down the future.

The Dolphins have already requested an interview with Sheppard, and the Steelers would be wise to at least get in line.

Robert Saleh, DC, San Francisco 49ers

After a difficult tenure as the head coach of the New York Jets, Robert Saleh returned to San Francisco for a season as the defensive coordinator with the 49ers, a position he held before that stop in New York City.

But after a season on the sidelines in San Francisco, Saleh has again been connected with open head coaching spots. Five teams have requested interviews with Saleh, including the Dolphins, the Falcons, the Titans, the Ravens, and the Cardinals.

Do not be surprised to see that list grow to six now with the opening in Pittsburgh.

Of course, there is the Rodgers aspect to this name …

Jesse Minter, DC, Los Angeles Chargers

Jesse Minter has been linked with every open job this cycle, and just completed interviews with the Titans and the Cardinals today.

That speaks to the idea that Minter is going to be a head coach sooner rather than later. His first stop in the NFL was as a defensive assistant under John Harbaugh in 2017, where he worked his way up to become the Ravens’ defensive backs coach. Then after a year as the defensive coordinator with Vanderbilt, Jim Harbaugh hired him to be the defensive coordinator in Michigan. While in Ann Arbor, Minter helped deliver a national title.

Minter followed John Harbaugh to Los Angeles, where he spent the past two seasons as the team’s defensive coordinator. While with the Chargers he built a strong defense, which has made him one of the hottest candidates this cycle.