Mike Tomlin has his contract expire following 2024. Ownership could decide to have a mutual parting of ways between the Steelers and their long-time head coach. Even a potential trade could make sense for both sides. It would shock the NFL world as many hold Tomlin in high regard. He now looks to finish a season still having hope to earn a playoff spot after his young quarterback got hit with an ankle injury.
Sometimes coaching demands change and a new voice in a room to turn things around. Tomlin has not won a playoff game in Pittsburgh since 2017 and has not made the Super Bowl since 2011. Some might consider that good enough, but even Tomlin has stated it hasn't been to their expectation. If the Steelers move on from Tomlin in a shocking move, they could look at these names to replace him.
The Steelers could either go with an inexperienced players coach
One name to monitor, but it unlikely could be someone like Josh McCown. He just retired from the NFL a couple of years ago as a backup journeyman for many years. His experience would be one that should be able to help provide developmental aid to someone like Kenny Pickett. Someone like McCown could be a good players coach and someone who could spark a locker room.
Maybe he still needs to learn the way of the coaching ranks before he gets a head coaching gig. He was a quarterbacks coach in Carolina before getting fired earlier this year. That organization is a mess, but they have some interesting coaches who are looking for jobs. McCown could be a name for the open offensive coordinator gig too.
A local Pittsburgh guy could be an interesting Mike Tomlin replacement
Don't worry this whole list is not only former Carolina Panther coaches from this season. Frank Reich is someone who has stated that he could be done with his career as a coach. Maybe a certain job would change his mind. A place with stability that holds his hometown team would be something of interest to Reich.
He has been fired by the Colts and Panthers in back-to-back years, which is not the best endorsement of anyone. He comes from an offensive mind and helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl as their offensive coordinator. He could also be an interesting name to be an offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh if he would like to move back to the Steel City.
Ron Rivera has prior Pittsburgh connection the last time they hired a head coach
Back when Bill Cowher decided to leave the game of football and left the Steeler's top coaching job up for grabs, there was an extensive search for his successor. Mike Tomlin ended up getting the job, but Ron Rivera was under consideration. He would have likely gotten another interview if the Chicago Bears did not play in the Super Bowl that year.
Rivera has done a respectable job as a head coach in the NFL between his time with the Panthers and now the Washington Commanders. Things have not gone great in Washington, but he has been able to get them to the playoffs without substantial quarterback play. Rivera is a defensive-minded coach that the black and gold would be familiar with from last time.
Hines Ward might be a long shot for Pittsburgh but it could make sense
Right now, it is unknown if Hines Ward will return for another season with the San Antonio Brahmas as the XFL is merging with the USFL for a spring football league. He was their head coach last year and the Steelers signed their best defensive player Luq Barcoo. Ward is one of the favorite players in the history of the franchise, and he has a good amount of coaching experience now.
He has grown his coaching resume, but the issue is that he has no substantial NFL experience on there. Other than being an intern and assistant, he has gotten other experience in college and the XFL. That will surely put a hindrance on his potential head coaching submission to the Steelers, but he would be an interesting choice that would fly under the radar.
Duce Staley is unemployed but has connections to the Steelers
Another former member of Pittsburgh's ball club here Duce Staley makes the list. He could be another option as an offensive coordinator, but he might even get interviews for top jobs across the NFL. Him being fired by the Panthers earlier this season won't help his cause there, but he has a good resume. He started his coaching career in 2011 and has not stopped since.
He has long been a running backs coach and gained the role of assistant head coach during his time in Philadelphia, Detroit, and then Carolina. He has a great way of coaching up players and has a great mentality that would carry over to the locker room well. Staley will be a head coach somewhere in the NFL, and he would be a nice candidate to consider.
Jim Harbaugh could join his brother in the AFC North division
Throwing out a curveball here as Jim Harbaugh has rumors swirling around him again about a potential NFL return. The Steeler's job would be one of the most sought-after opportunities in the coaching ranks for those looking. That could convince Harbaugh to leave his beloved Michigan program. Some might hate the idea, especially after Michigan's cheating scandal this year.
It would be crazy to see Harbaugh coach against his brother, John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens at least twice every year. It might not matter as college coaches make a lot of money to stick with their schools or to get hired elsewhere. If the Steelers' job would open, then someone like Harbaugh could look at their opening.
Aaron Glenn has done a tremendous job during his tenure in Detroit
Aaron Glenn is the current defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. He played 15 seasons in the NFL as a defensive back before transitioning over to coaching. He has a respectable resume of nearly ten years of coaching, which includes the past couple of years at his current job. He is someone who coaches with passion and can lead men into battle.
Dan Campbell likes certain people on his coaching staff and Glenn is a great example. He would be a nice fit in Pittsburgh, but it is unknown if being a top coach in the NFL is something he aspires to be. Most coaches do, but not all. Glenn would be an up-and-coming coach who used to play in the league, which is another bonus.
Ejiro Evero could be a hot name on the head coaching market
One of the top head coaching candidates this offseason will be Ejiro Evero. Many expect him to get a lot of interviews for top jobs this offseason, but he could also be looked past. Perhaps if those opportunities fall through Evero would be a tremendous candidate to be the Steeler's new defensive coordinator if they move on from Teryl Austin.
A couple of things that interest many with Evero is he is only 42 years old and has a lot of different experiences. He has coached both sides of the ball throughout his career. Evero has also been in the collegiate and professional ranks throughout. The defense he has run this season has not been great, but the lack of talent on those teams has been terrible.
Press Taylor has been able to help turn around the Jaguars offense
Going back toward an offensive mind here with Press Taylor of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Everyone is looking for a young offensive mind that has new ideas for leading an effective offensive attack. The Steelers need someone that can help their offense rebound and Taylor would be a great option. He has worked closely with Doug Pederson for most of his coaching career.
Pederson is regarded as being one of the better offensive minds in the NFL. That should help Taylor transition to the head coaching gig well. This is his second season as Jaguar's offensive coordinator after spending plenty of years with the Eagles as a positional and quality control coach. He is rising the ranks fast and could be a nice addition to Pittsburgh.
Larry Foote is a former member of the Steelers that has qualifications
Another former player of the Steelers here who has been in the coaching realm for some time. Larry Foote is a former linebacker for the black and gold. He won two Super Bowls during his playing days with the Steelers. He has now been coaching in the NFL since 2015. Foote has quickly gotten promotions since his initial start as an assistant linebackers coach.
He is nearly finished with his second season as the Tamp Bay Buccaneers co-defensive coordinator. He holds other coaching duties for that team too. He is a young defensive mind who might get better results from his defense elsewhere. Not everything falls on him since Todd Bowles takes most of the defensive duties. If not for the top job, maybe a return to Pittsburgh as a defensive coordinator would also make sense.
Brian Callahan has been able to help develop a franchise quarterback
Not that Joe Burrow needed a lot of help with the massive amount of talent that he brings with him, but Brian Callahan has done that. He has been the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati since 2019 and should have been looked at for top jobs before. For one reason or another, the Bengal's success over the past several seasons has not given him many head coaching interviews.
Now with Burrow out of the lineup, many believe that Cincinnati will fall off. It will be up to Callahan and others to figure out ways to make an offense led by Jake Browning still effective. If Callahan can still lead an effective offense without Burrow, then that will only reflect on him in a brighter light. The Steelers could look at a division rival for a new top guy.
Kellen Moore is a young offensive mind who could help change the Steelers
Another young offensive mind in the league that has gotten head coaching buzz in the past is Kellen Moore. He has been an offensive coordinator for four years now, which has spanned over two teams. His time in Dallas went under a lot of scrutiny, but their offense was never bad under Moore's playcalling. His lone year with the Chargers this season has not gone to plan.
One thing to monitor about Moore is his ability to work with some high-profile quarterbacks. He has worked closely with Dak Prescott of the Cowboys and Justin Herbert of the Chargers. Right now, LA has not had a great season so Moore might have a tougher time looking for a promotion elsewhere. He is a young coach who has a bright future in the NFL.
Frank Smith is enjoying his explosive offensive product in Miami
There has been a ton of coverage around the NFL on the Miami Dolphins and their insane offensive attack. Mike McDaniel deserves a lot of the credit, but many have not focused on their offensive coordinator for one reason or another. Perhaps it is because McDaniel puts on a show for the cameras every week and has become one of the more entertaining head coaches.
Frank Smith is someone not only to monitor for the Steelers if they depart with Mike Tomlin, but he will be getting lots of calls from elsewhere. A lot of things need to be going right on offense to have some of the quality games their unit has produced. Smith is a young offensive mind who is in one of the best environments for learning and crafting an offense in the NFL.
Dan Quinn has been looking for the perfect opportunity to be a head coach
Dan Quinn has been on record saying that he would not leave being the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys for any job. Perhaps taking over the Pittsburgh Steelers as their next head coach would get his attention. Quinn has been the defensive coordinator at Dallas for the last couple of years and he has improved that group.
He has a long list of coaching experience in the NFL, which includes mostly on the defensive side of the ball. He has worked with tons of talent throughout his career and was even a head coach at Atlanta before he was fired. He got them to a Super Bowl, which everyone knows they blew the 28-3 lead at. Quinn deserves another shot at a top job, and the Steelers opening could get him interested.
Sean Desai is a young defensive mind that could interest the Steelers
Another young coach here, which has become fairly common on top candidates to take over for Tomlin if he would be let go. Sean Desai is the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles this season and it's his first time holding that role for that team. He is still young at only 40 years old, but he has a lot of experience both in the professional and college ranks.
Most of his work comes on the defensive side of the ball, but he has coached on the offensive side and special teams too throughout his career. This is only his second year as a defensive coordinator after also holding that role in 2021 with the Chicago Bears. The Eagles are one of the best teams in the NFC again, and if they get back to the Super Bowl, or even win it, then Desai will be on top of many head coaching lists.
Eric Bieniemy could finally get his head coaching job in Pittsburgh
Speaking of the Bears, there are rumors that they could consider firing their head coach and bringing in Eric Bieniemy for the top job. Many have wondered why the top offensive coordinator for the past several years in the NFL still hasn't got a top job in the league yet. He has been one of the best play-callers from his time in Kansas City and has transitioned over to Washington well.
Sam Howell looks like an above-average starting quarterback because of Bieniemy. The Steelers would be wise to bring him in for an interview and see how his vision for the football team lines up with the organization. He deserves an opportunity for a top job moving forward and it seems like this upcoming offseason could finally be his shot.
Bill Belichick could be a free agent if he parts with the Patriots
Welcome to the hire that would break the NFL. The Steelers hiring Bill Belichick might be something that nears a curse in the eyes of some fans of the Steelers. Taking the long-hated Patriots dynasty head coach and bringing him on board during the twilight years of his career would be a crazy choice. Belichick and the Patriots have not been the same since Tom Brady left.
It seems unlikely that Belichick would land with the Steelers even if Tomlin was either traded or fired from Pittsburgh. It seems like the franchise would like to add a young option that could hold the title for a long time. Belichick will probably be done coaching in the league within the next decade or so. It is an interesting option to consider though.
Ben Johnson is the top head coach candidate this upcoming hire period
Ben Johnson is going to be a head coach pretty quickly after this season concludes. When the hiring process takes place, Johnson will have many options to choose from. It would take Pittsburgh to sell the team to the young offensive coordinator, but it could be done. The Steelers seem like a quality quarterback and solid offensive play sheet away from contending.
Johnson has been able to help Jared Goff bring his career back to life as a Lion and maybe he could do the same with Kenny Pickett. The Steelers would love to have someone like Johnson to start calling plays or at least help in that regard. It wouldn't take too much convincing over other openings to convince Johnson to skip the other available jobs to sign with Pittsburgh.
Brian Johnson could be the next Eagles offensive coordinator to get promoted
Keeping the young offensive mind trend going here with Brian Johnson of the Eagles. He has been their offensive coordinator for this season. Philadelphia has been able to produce plenty of head coaches around the NFL for plenty of seasons. Depending on how the Eagles finish their season, someone like Johnson could be next up.
The Steelers could find it interesting the type of similarities that Johnson has when compared to Mike Tomlin was given the job. Johnson is only 36 years old and could seem "raw" in the eyes of others in terms of his coaching experience. Sometimes getting the young guy to rejuvenate a locker room is the best course of action, which the Steelers experienced when Tomlin was hired.
Brian Flores could return to the Steelers as their head coach next year
Perhaps the most obvious choice to take over for Mike Tomlin was a member of his coaching staff last season. Brian Flores left for Minnesota this year to be their defensive coordinator, and he has been able to find ways of making that group a quality unit. They have plenty of holes across their defense as a whole, but Flores has been able to make them a strong point for the club.
If Tomlin were to be fired or traded Flores would be a profound hire as he finally gets a head coaching job again. He is a tough guy who is not afraid to tell his players no. That is something that the Steelers have been missing as Tomlin routinely remains a player-friendly coach. Hiring Flores would be a new era for Pittsburgh and someone they could count on for plenty of years to come.