Mike Tomlin was the head coach for the Steelers for 19 years before he chose to step down following another disastrous playoff loss.
Tomlin has not won a playoff game with the Steelers in the last nine years.
With him stepping down, he does not leave the Steelers organization in a good spot.
The roster needs a lot of work, so the next head coach will have his hands full.
Pittsburgh needs the following:
- Quarterback- Aaron Rodgers will likely retire. He is also 42 years old, and the Steelers need a QB even if he does return for one season
- Wide Receiver: DK Metcalf is currently the WR1 on the Steelers. However, he is not a WR1, more of a WR2. The depth behind Metcalf is lacking. The Steelers need a playmaker
- Tight End: Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, and Pat Freiermuth are all on the roster. However, none of them did much of anything in 2025. The Steelers need a young, versatile, pass-catching tight end, as well as another WR. Pittsburgh lacks playmakers
- Defensive Line: Derrick Harmon had an impressive rookie campaign. However, he is the only young, promising player on the defensive line. Cam Heyward will be 37 years old next season. With Tomlin stepping down, chances are that Heyward will retire. Keanu Benton has regressed in each of his first three seasons
- Linebackers: Patrick Queen may no longer be on the Steelers. T.J. Watt looked slower and was not nearly as impactful in 2025 as in previous years. Alex Highsmith is a solid pass rusher, but not top-notch. Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer may see more responsibility next season, but this is also a weak position for the Steelers
- Secondary: The secondary has one good player. Joey Porter Jr took a big step forward in 2025. He showed he can be a true shutdown CB. James Pierre improved in 2025, but that was his first good season. Pittsburgh does not have a good safety
The next head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers will need to fix this roster. Luckily for the next head coach, the Steelers are very, very patient with their coaches. Job security is very high with the Steelers.
Odds To Be The Next Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach
Here are the odds to be the next head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers:
- 1. Chris Shula (+125)
- 2. Mike McCarthy (+150)
- 3. Brian Flores (+300)
- 4. Sean McDermott (+1200)
- 5. Kliff Kingsbury (+2000)
- 6. Klint Kubiak (+2000)
Chris Shula is the slight favorite to be the next Steelers head coach. There has been considerable speculation that the Steelers are very interested in the Rams’ defensive coordinator. He will be only 40 years old in February. This is the age the Steelers typically prefer to hire as a head coach, allowing them to remain in the position for as long as possible. Pittsburgh has had three head coaches since 1969. Shula fits the bill perfectly. A defensive-minded head coach, which the Steelers typically like hiring, who is at the age where, if he is successful, he will remain the head coach for over a decade.
Surprisingly, Mike McCarthy is a close second, at +150 odds. This sort of came out of nowhere, but Mike McCarthy was born in Pittsburgh. McCarthy is 62 years old, which would be a different approach for the Steelers. He has proved to be a decent head coach, but given his age, the Steelers hiring him would not be wise. Pittsburgh wants their head coaches for a long time, and McCarthy does not fit the bill.
Brian Flores already has ties to the Steelers. He joined the club in 2022 as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach under Mike Tomlin. Flores turns 45 in January, which is a good age for the Steelers to hire him. However, considering his close ties to Mike Tomlin, if the Steelers want change, Flores is not the guy to go with. It will be much of the same as under Tomlin.
Sean McDermott, Kliff Kingsbury, and Klint Kubiak are more of a long shot. It is unlikely that either of these three candidates will become the next Pittsburgh Steelers head coach.
Who Should The Pittsburgh Steelers Hire To Be The Next Head Coach?
The answer is Chris Shula.
Mike McCarthy is not a great head coach. It feels like a massive letdown if he is chosen.
Brian Flores will be too similar to Mike Tomlin.
Shula is a defensive-minded coach who is at the perfect age to be a long-term answer. Shula will bring in his own offensive coordinator, which the Steelers desperately need.
He is doing a good job with the Rams’ defense. LA has a young defense, and the salary for LA is spent more on the offense. Still, Shula has the Rams playing well on defense.
They are in the NFC Championship game, and Shula is a big reason why. He learns under a tremendous head coach in Sean McVay, and it will be a complete change of scenery for the Steelers, which they need.
Chris Shula is who the Pittsburgh Steelers should target and hire as their next head coach. If he ends up being a good head coach, the Steelers will have their next head coach for another decade or more.
