The AFC North has transformed, as the NFL’s two longest-tenured coaches are no longer part of the division. The Ravens fired John Harbaugh over a week ago, and now Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach.
In 19 seasons as Pittsburgh’s head man, Tomlin led the Steelers to a 193-114-2 record (.628 win rate), making 12 playoff appearances and winning Super Bowl XLIII. With big shoes to fill in a search, who could be the Steelers’ next head coach?
Let’s look at the top Steelers head coach candidates to replace Tomlin on PrizePicks Team Picks. Use Team Picks to make predictions on NFL winners, spreads, futures, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
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NFL Futures: Top Steelers Next Head Coach Candidates
Two Steelers candidates rise above the bunch on PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can pick a candidate to get the job and earn real money if you're right.
- Chris Shula: 1.96x Yes | 1.63x No
- Brian Flores: 3.12x Yes | 1.12x No
- Mike McCarthy: 5x Yes | 1.03x No
- Nathan Scheelhaase: 9.09x Yes | 1.03x No
- Jesse Minter: 11.11x Yes
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Let’s look at the three favorites to become the Steelers’ next head coach.
1: Chris Shula (Rams Defensive Coordinator)
Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula very well could land a head coaching job this offseason, as he's received five HC interview requests not including the Steelers position.
He’s been a part of the Los Angeles defensive staff since 2017, holding the DC role over the last two seasons. In 2024, the Rams’ defense gave up 22.3 points per game (15th) and 5.6 yards per play (tied for 21st). The unit improved in 2025, ceding 20.9 points per contest (10th) and 5.2 yards per play (14th).
Shula is only 39, putting him on the list of young, up-and-coming coordinators. If he came to Pittsburgh, the Sean McVay disciple would inherit exciting defensive pieces led by Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt and CB Jalen Ramsey.
2: Brian Flores (Vikings Defensive Coordinator)
Behind Shula, Vikings DC Brian Flores is another defensive mind in the running. Unlike Shula, Flores holds head coaching experience, leading the Miami Dolphins to a 24-25 record (.490 win rate) from 2019 to 2021.
Since he landed the Minnesota defensive coordinator position in 2023, the Vikings have allowed 21.3 (12th), 19.9 (fourth), and 19.6 (seventh) PPG. Flores engineered an impressive turnaround, as Minnesota gave up a whopping 25.4 points per contest (30th) in 2022.
The former Dolphins head coach has a history with the Steelers franchise, manning the senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach roles in 2022.
3: Mike McCarthy (Free Agent)
While Mike McCarthy has yet to land an interview with the Steelers, it’s difficult to ignore his candidacy. He’s a Pittsburgh native and would bring 18 years of head coaching experience along with him.
With the Packers from 2006 to 2018, Green Bay totaled a 125-77-2 record (.618 win rate) while appearing in nine postseasons and winning Super Bowl XLV. In Dallas, he led the Cowboys to a 49-35 record (.583 win rate) and three playoff appearances in a five-year span.
McCarthy has been linked to only the Titans thus far, as he sports a 5.55x payout (fourth favorite) to be Tennessee’s next head coach on PrizePicks Team Picks.
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Who Will Be the Steelers’ Next Head Coach?
Among the six Steelers head coach candidates who've landed interviews, five currently hold defensive coordinator positions.
Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is the fifth favorite (11.11x), but he leads the charge for the Ravens’ vacant HC position (2.27x). Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver touts a 14.28x payout to be the next Steelers head coach (tied as sixth favorite). According to Ian Rapoport, Panthers DC Ejiro Evero also landed an interview on Thursday.
Rams passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase and McCarthy are the only two “offensive voices” in the mix. Scheelhaase secured an interview request and helped lead the Rams to 7.8 yards per passing attempt this season (tied for fifth).
McCarthy may be regarded as the most probable option, potentially due to his Pittsburgh roots and experience.
Considering the list of defensive coaches slated for interviews, the Steelers seem bound to bring in a defensive savant. Shula is the current favorite, and a hiring would add fuel to the rumor of Pittsburgh perhaps hiring Scheelhaase as an offensive coordinator.
Make NFL Futures Picks on PrizePicks
The Steelers may ink a defensive-minded head coach, being heavily linked to the Rams’ assistants. Could the tandem of Shula and Scheelhaase land in Pittsburgh?
You can pick NFL futures on PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just make your predictions and earn cash if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
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