The Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coaching search is beginning to narrow, and a clearer picture is emerging of who the organization truly wants. The Steelers have already conducted in-person interviews with Mike McCarthy, Brian Flores, and Anthony Weaver. Flores ultimately agreed to a contract extension to remain with the Minnesota Vikings, a sign he may be out of consideration for the time being.
At this point, the two apparent frontrunners both come from the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff: Chris Shula and Nathan Scheelhaase. Because the Rams are still in the playoffs, in-person interviews with either candidate won’t be possible until next week.
Regardless of which direction the Steelers ultimately go, there are three non-negotiables they must get right to truly nail this head coaching hire.
3 non-negotiables that the Pittsburgh Steelers need out of their next HC
A defined blueprint for finding the next franchise QB and developing him the right way
The Steelers have been searching for their next franchise quarterback ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired four years ago, and the results have been uninspiring. From drafting Kenny Pickett immediately after Ben’s retirement and watching that experiment fall apart, to cycling through veteran stopgaps like Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers, the organization has lacked a coherent long-term plan at the most important position in sports.
That cannot continue.
The Steelers’ next head coach must arrive with a clear vision for how to identify, acquire, and develop a quarterback. There must be a defined process, not improvisation. The failure to do this in recent years highlighted how unprepared the previous regime was to build a modern offense or properly nurture a young quarterback.
In today’s NFL, fans often expect instant results, especially from rookie quarterbacks. It is important to recognize that young QBs tend to succeed far more often in organizations with a structured developmental plan than in teams that rush them onto the field without proper support. Development starts with the right offensive infrastructure. The relationship between the playcaller and the quarterback has to be intentional, aligned, and built on trust. There is no success story without it.
Quarterback development takes time. There will be growing pains, setbacks, and incremental progress. That is normal. What cannot happen is a lack of patience or confidence that undermines the process. Whether it is allowing a rookie to learn behind a veteran for a year or creating true competition in OTAs and training camp by splitting first-team reps, the path forward must be deliberate and consistent.
For the Steelers, this is non-negotiable. There must be a clear guideline for how the next head coach plans to address the most glaring need on the roster, and the organization must be confident that this hire finally gets it right.
A sustainable approach to fixing an expensive, aging defense
The Steelers' defensive price tag has not matched its on-field results. Around the NFL, we see elite defenses thriving with far less money invested, while Pittsburgh continues to spend heavily without getting elite-level production in return.
Part of the problem has been how the defense is schemed. It has been overly simple and increasingly predictable, making it easier for opposing offenses to prepare and adjust. With the amount of money committed and the level of talent already on the roster, this unit should be performing at a much higher level.
The next head coach must be capable of elevating this defense, not rebuilding it from scratch. The Steelers already have several defensive contracts that are difficult to move on from, which means the next staff will need to maximize what is already in place. The talent is there. What has been missing is innovation, adaptability, and a clear plan to unlock the full potential of the group.
The right hire could have an immediate impact. With an improved scheme, smarter usage of personnel, and modern adjustments, this defense can quickly become the elite unit it is being paid to be and one of the best in the NFL.
The offense must finally become a true priority
For years, the Steelers' offense has operated in a stone-age version of football. The philosophy centered on running the ball, yet even that was rarely done efficiently. There was little to no consistent passing attack, and while quarterback play certainly played a role, the larger issue was a lack of commitment to evolving with the modern NFL.
The Steelers made minimal effort to innovate offensively or gain schematic advantages. As the league continued to shift toward creativity, spacing, and versatility, Pittsburgh’s offense remained predictable and outdated. That gap became increasingly difficult to overcome.
The next head coaching hire must prioritize offense in a meaningful way. That starts with assembling a strong offensive coaching staff and implementing a scheme that can compete with the best offenses in the league. Balance will be critical, not just running the ball, but doing so in ways that complement a dynamic passing game.
The Steelers must also be willing to invest resources in offense so it resembles what top NFL offenses look like today, not what Steelers offenses looked like in the past. Without that shift, any attempt to compete at the highest level will fall short.