The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers season was yet another in what has become a very familiar trend for Mike Tomlin coached teams. The Steelers will be left for dead in the preseason due to poor quarterback play, Tomlin will somehow squeeze 10 wins out of this roster, and a superior opponent will flatten and embarrass them in the postseason.
Tomlin is a tremendous coach who brought a championship to Pittsburgh and has never had a losing season, but he has now lost six consecutive playoff games and is going on a decade without having won a playoff game. A change might be needed, giving the Steelers just their fourth head coach since 1969.
If the Steelers do move on from Tomlin, they will have some very attractive bells and whistles. The defense is elite, ownership has proven to be incredibly patient and stable, and the division is far from a gauntlet. The Steelers could attract quality candidates.
These five candidates stand out as names who can come right in, try to keep the best parts of what Tomlin established, and put their own spin on it to take things to the next level.
5 possible head coach candidates if Steelers fire Mike Tomlin
5. Arthur Smith, OC, Pittsburgh Steelers
If the Steelers promote anyone internally, Smith, who is fresh off a stint with the Falcons, would make the most sense. If he can get better quarterback play than he had in Atlanta (not hard, considering Desmond Ridder is the bar), he might be able to look better as a leader with a more stable organization around him.
4. Kellen Moore, OC, Philadelphia Eagles
Once regarded as a passing game wunderkind with Dallas, Moore has revamped his status within the league by helping Saquon Barkley run for 2,000 yards with Philadelphia. The creativity is there, and his production with many different styles of quarterbacks suggest he is capable of whipping up a capable offense with anyone under center.
3. Brian Flores, DC, Minnesota Vikings
Flores, who spent a year in Pittsburgh as a top defensive assistant after being fired by the Miami Dolphins, is geared up for a second go-around as a head coach. Flores' defense is elite, and he will likely be able to poach some impressive young coaches from the same coaching staff that has Sam Darnold playing like a star in Minnesota.
2. Joe Brady, OC, Buffalo Bills
Both Tomlin and Bill Cowher were brought to Pittsburgh as very young coaches, and Brady could be next in their pipeline. Brady has Josh Allen playing like an MVP, and he has had past success turning LSU into an absolute juggernaut of a passing game. Brady is an instant Band-Aid who can fix the offense.
1. Ben Johnson, OC, Detroit Lions
Johnson is the top name on everyone's coaching list, and it isn't hard to see why. Johnson will bring an efficient, creative offense that can elevate any team to playoff contention level. Pittsburgh will make a very compelling case for his services if he is still looking for work.