The Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise that has been a model of stability and continuity, are now in a state of change.
On Tuesday, Mike Tomlin told the team he is stepping down after 19 seasons. For just the fourth time since the Steelers hired legendary coach Chuck Noll in 1969, the franchise is in the market for a head coach.
While the Steelers will have to compete with eight other teams to fill their open position, they can offer some things many of the others can’t: A marquee job for a storied franchise and a proven track record of patience in a league of knee-jerk reactions.
Let’s take a look at some of the potential candidates to replace Tomlin.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame head coach (39 years old)
Recently, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that the Steelers had internal discussions about Freeman as they contemplated the possibility of Tomlin stepping away. It’s a move that would make sense in many ways.
Like Tomlin, Freeman is a young, defensive-minded head coach known for building a strong culture. The former Ohio State linebacker has risen through the ranks of the coaching world quickly. Last year, he led the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. The one obvious roadblock is Freeman’s contract.
In late December, as speculation swirled that Freeman could make the jump to the NFL, Notre Dame signed their coach to a revised deal that makes him one of the highest-paid in his sport. Freeman also has publicly said he’ll be back in 2026. However, it wouldn’t be the first time a coach wiggles out of his contract for the right situation.
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator (44)
Shortly after the Miami Dolphins fired Flores after a three-year run during which he compiled a 24-25 record, he brought a lawsuit against the NFL alleging a pattern of racist hiring practices by teams and racial discrimination during the interview process.
At the time, he was somewhat of a pariah when the Pittsburgh Steelers opened their doors to Flores, hiring him as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the 2022 season. The move helped Flores get back on track, and now, after three years as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator, he’s one of the hot names in this coaching cycle.
A creative and innovative defensive mind, Flores would fit neatly into the Blitzburgh identity and could help make the most of a roster full of expensive, aging defensive stars. It would also be a chance for the franchise that created the “Rooney Rule” to practice what they preach.
Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator (42)
When Jim Harbaugh bolted for Los Angeles after his national championship run with the University of Michigan, he took his defensive coordinator, Minter, with him.
In his first NFL season, Minter coordinated the top NFL defense, as the Chargers limited opponents to a league-low 17.7 points per game. This season, they ranked ninth in points allowed (20.0), fifth in yards per game (285) and fifth in turnovers forced (26).
Minter comes from a football family, as his dad was the head coach at the University of Cincinnati. He also has familiarity with the AFC North after four seasons as a defensive assistant in Baltimore.
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator (38)
In some ways, the Steelers are looking for a coach because they failed to identify and develop Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. GM Omar Khan has been stockpiling draft picks in an effort to land the future of the franchise.
Having an offensive-minded head coach could make a lot of sense in a world where football isn’t played the way it was in the 1970s anymore.
Kubiak, the son of former Denver Broncos and Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak, played safety at Colorado State but has been coaching on the offensive side of the ball for about a decade-and-a-half, including as the Minnesota Vikings QB coach and offensive coordinator, Denver Broncos passing game quarterback and QBs coach, San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator, New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator and now Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator.
He’s mentored several passers, including most recently Sam Darnold during his Pro Bowl 2025 season.
Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator (43)
Smith’s first stint as an NFL head coach ended after three years and a 21-30 record in Atlanta, during which the Falcons never made the playoffs and never achieved a winning record.
Two years later, he already has one interview lined up next week with the Tennessee Titans for their vacant head coaching position. That may be a bit of a surprise to some in Pittsburgh who watched Smith’s offense finish 26th in yards per game (313) and 19th in points scored (21.8) in 2024, and 25th in total offense (305 yards per game) and 15th in points scored (22) this season.
However, Smith’s reputation around the league seems to be better than his less-than-eye-popping numbers. The best thing you can say about Smith is that he’s worked with several different quarterbacks and has often gotten the best out of them.
He made a name for himself by reviving the career of Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee. During his first season in Pittsburgh, Smith managed a pair of castoff quarterbacks — Justin Fields and Russell Wilson — with winning results. He’s helped preside over a bounce-back season for Aaron Rodgers, even though the Hall of Fame QB does plenty of freewheeling and adjusting on the fly himself.
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator (53)
Tomlin’s buddy, Sean Payton, has received a ton of praise for the way he’s led the Broncos out of the Russell Wilson failed marriage and into the Bo Nix era.
However, the quest to capture the AFC’s No. 1 seed is as much about the defense as anything else. Joseph’s unit finished the regular season second in yards per game allowed (278) and third in points per game allowed (18.3).
Joseph’s first foray into head coaching ended unceremoniously after two years (2017-2018) and an 11-21 record. Underwhelming QB play had something to do with that. The experience, while not positive, could help Joseph in his second chance as a head coach.
Mike McCarthy, former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers head coach (62)
His age might give the Steelers pause, considering the last three coaches have lasted 19 years (Tomlin), 15 years (Bill Cowher) and 23 years (Chuck Noll).
However, McCarthy has ties to the city of Pittsburgh (his birthplace) and Rodgers (whom McCarthy coached for two of the quarterback’s four MVP seasons and the lone Super Bowl). If the Steelers are looking for a short-term stopgap and Rodgers is interested in returning, perhaps it would make sense.
Chris Shula, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator (39)
If the Steelers are looking for a young, offensive-minded head coach, Shula could fit the mold.
The grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula and son of former Bengals coach Dave Shula, Chris has spent two seasons as the Rams’ defensive coordinator. He helped develop and maximize a young defensive corps that allowed the 10th fewest points per game (20.4).
Robert Saleh, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator (46)
During three years as the New York Jets head coach, Saleh’s team went just 20-36 before he was fired. However, he’s rebuilt his reputation as a strong defensive coach this season with the 49ers.
