The Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly got thrown into one of the craziest head-coaching carousels that the NFL has seen in recent decades. After Mike Tomlin made the decision to step down, there were nine organizations that needed solutions to lead their respective locker rooms in 2026. Art Rooney II and Omar Khan will be focused on interviewing several top candidates, but there is competition out there. Additionally, there is no current answer at the quarterback position in the Steel City, which could be a big problem for certain coaches that want to find a new home that will include a top-end signal-caller.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @: JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Dominos will begin to fall as owners and general managers around the league aggressively pursue their preferred candidate(s). Pittsburgh was a little late to the game given the fact that it was in the postseason. Now, one of the Steelers' reported interviewees may ink a deal sooner rather than later, as Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen M. Ross has someone in mind, per Tom Pelissero.
Packers DC Jeff Hafley has emerged as a frontrunner for the Dolphins head coaching job, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 17, 2026
No final decisions made. More interviews are scheduled. Four other teams have requested second interviews with Hafley. But he appears to be the leading candidate in Miami. pic.twitter.com/nzjSjPU81J
Nothing is set in stone, but typically when a report such as this makes its way to the surface, it is pretty clear that the relevant organization has its sights set on someone. Jeff Hafley has received plenty of interview requests, including from the Steelers; however, that may not matter. Miami could end up making an offer that cannot be refused.
The news comes right around the time that Pittsburgh was set to interview Hafley, which was reported to be Saturday. Ross may feel slightly threatened by the thought of losing the current Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator; hence, the leak that is communicating the fact the Dolphins want him to be their next head coach.
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Green Bay Packers Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley walks on the field prior to a professional football game.
After news emerged that the New York Giants and John Harbaugh are finalizing a deal, Hafley would be the second individual to essentially find head coach position. With that, several other intriguing names would still exist. Hafley is 46 years old, which is the oldest reported age of one of the Steelers' interview requests. If tradition continues in the Steel City, he would be coaching the Steelers into his 60s if he ended up being hired. For now, it seems as if Miami is his future destination.
Steelers May Be Better Off With An Offensive-Minded Head Coach Anyways
Pittsburgh has no future plans that are clear when it comes to the quarterback position. That is why having a bright offensive mind in the building could be the best thing possible for the franchise. Geniuses find ways to get the very best out of mid-tier signal-callers, and that is something that the Steelers may be dealing with in 2026, depending on how the offseason goes. Hafley has been a hot name, but it appears as if he is close to being crossed off of Rooney's list.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Team President Art Rooney II roams the sidelines as the team warms up and gets ready to compete in a 2022 preseason matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Do you think that the Steelers missed an opportunity when it comes to hiring Hafley? Let us know in the comments below!
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