Reports have recently surfaced that Mike Tomlin may be on his way out of the Steelers head coaching job. This won’t be due to a firing though, as Tomlin may decide to take a break from coaching, akin to what Sean Payton did before being traded to the Broncos last offseason.
This comes as a mild surprise. While I have shifted my opinion on Tomlin over the past few months (long story short, I think he should be gone so this team can properly rebuild), I wasn’t actively expecting him to leave. This wouldn’t be a firing, but it would force the Steelers to find a new coach to lead this team. Here are the four best coaching fits if Tomlin decides to step away from coaching.
Steelers could reunite with Brian Flores
A name that would make a lot of sense on paper, Brian Flores had an all-too-short stint with the Steelers last season. A surprise firing following a strong tenure with the Dolphins, Flores was left without a job amidst a lawsuit with his former team. Tomlin brought him on as a defensive assistant before he took the Vikings defensive coordinator job this past year.
He has continued to provide great coaching wherever he lands. He was a strong presence for the Steelers when here and he presented a stout defense for the Vikings. Not to mention his job as a head coach, where he took a perennial loser team and had them remain competitive. He clearly knows how to get the most out of players.
Flores would be a safe and familiar hire for this team if they need to go that way. While I am more inclined to look for an offensive coordinator to take on the job, Flores has talent as a coach. I would be all for a reunion if Tomlin decides to step down.
Steelers could hire Bobby Slowik
The Texans were a surprise team this year. Despite fielding one of the worst rosters over the past few seasons, this season saw them turn the ship around and get back on track. While landing a franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud made that job easier, the offense as a whole excelled under the leadership of Bobby Slowik.
Slowik followed now-head coach DeMeco Ryans from the 49ers to the Texans last offseason. He subscribes to a similar offense that Kyle Shannahan does, which allows him to get the most out of his players. That seemingly unfolded for the Texans this past year.
Stroud was an impressive prospect, but most expected a learning curve for the rookie. Instead, he settled into the starting role and looked like a grizzled veteran for most of the year. Many already view Stroud as a potentially elite quarterback (he played like that at times), so Slowik clearly got him on the right path early.
It wasn’t just quarterback though. Nico Collins went from a middling starter to a weekly threat. Tank Dell was an undersized, mid-round rookie who was suddenly making plays every week. Even cast-off Devin Singletary found new life in this offense, all the while the line was a weak spot and constantly injured.
Slowik has to be seen as a key reason for Stroud’s early success. He also showed the ability to get the most out of his other players on top of this. For a team that isn’t getting the most out of its talent and has quarterback questions, Slowik would make sense as a hire.
Steelers could reunite with Mike Vrabel
Probably the biggest surprise coaching fire this offseason, the Titans decided to part ways with Mike Vrabel. Considering how strong his early tenure was as a coach, many expected him to be given a few seasons of grace as this team regressed. Instead, the Titans opted to move on for some unknown reason.
Vrabel took over for the Titans when they were a mess. All he did was get the defense back on track, get the most out of a dominant running back in Derrick Henry, and revive the career of Ryan Tannehill. The latter two names began to regress, which limited the offense over the past two seasons, but this team was still playing hard for Vrabel.
Will Levis was also seemingly the future at the position, and Vrabel liked him, so moving on is a curious move. His loss could be the Steelers gain. While he hasn’t coached for the Steelers, he could return to the team that initially drafted him. He would be a welcome addition and a well-respected coach given his resume in the league already.
Again, I give the slight edge of coach that I want for an offensive-minded player. That said, Vrabel is a talented option that really shouldn’t be available. Players have a lot of respect for Tomlin, and Vrabel would carry on that tradition if he were to come in and take over as head coach.
Steelers could hire Ben Johnson
The crown jewel of the coaching options this offseason, Ben Johnson has done an amazing job with the Lion's offense. He inherited a mediocre unit when he joined the team as an assistant, and he seemed to quickly rise in the ranks. He went from quality control coordinator to tight ends coach to passing game coordinator and finally offensive coordinator all in the span of three seasons.
He had success in his individual roles before becoming the offensive coordinator. T.J. Hockenson thrived with Johnson as a coach and Amon-Ra St. Brown became one of the best weapons in the passing game with him.
Then he became offensive coordinator and everything kept on getting better. He built a dynamic offense that can win on the ground or through the air and consistently gets the most out of its players. He also aided his quarterback in this span. While Jared Goff was a veteran when he was traded to the Lions, he was seen as a bust of a player. He has since become a high-quality signal caller for this team.
I want the same thing to happen for the Steelers. Give me a dynamic offense that can win in a variety of ways. Give me a coach who can get the most out of his quarterback. Give me a coach who models himself after Dan Campbell, one of the best in the business. Johnson is all of these and would be the best replacement for Tomlin.
While it isn’t set in stone that Tomlin will step down as the Steelers coach, if he does this team should have a few options to take over. In particular, these four potential replacements would be the best fits for this team assuming they need a new head coach this offseason.
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