As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue digging through options for who should be their next head coach, the list continues to grow. They’ve lined up interviews with several coordinators and former head coaches from around the league, and it feels like one of the wildest coaching carousels in NFL history. One of the more interesting names they’re set to meet with is Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter, a guy who’s drawing attention from just about every franchise with a vacancy after putting together one of the league’s best defenses in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator, Jesse Minter during a press conferece.
Minter’s unit didn’t just play well this past season, at times it made opposing offenses look completely lost, including in a Week 10 performance against the Steelers. The Chargers held the black and gold to just 221 total yards of offense, and Aaron Rodgers three for just 161 passing yards in a 25-10 contest. From the opening snap, it was obvious the defense had Rodgers’ number, showing exactly why Minter’s defense was one of the league’s best.
Statistically, the Chargers' defense backed it all up too. It finished in the top 10 of nearly every defensive category including ninth in points allowed, fifth in yards allowed, and seventh in takeaways.
That combination is pretty much the dream blueprint for defensive success in the NFL. Some coordinators excel at stopping the run or dialing up blitzes but struggle with overall structure.Minter’s group, however, did everything well, which is probably a huge reason why so many teams have him near the top of their candidate list.
Kirby Lee / Imagn Images
Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator, Jesse Minter.
Even though Chargers players want him to stay, it’s starting to feel like a long-shot. With the number of interviews he’s landing and the praise he’s gotten across the league, it’s becoming hard to picture him not ending up as a head coach in 2026.
One of the players most vocal about keeping him is five-time All-Pro safety Derwin James, who has been one of Minter’s biggest supporters. When reporters asked James back in 2024 if Minter has what it takes to be a successful head coach, he didn’t hesitate.
"He** yeah. He's that guy, he's that leader, alpha. The guys play hard for him, and I just feel like he's just that dude," James said. "Every day you know what you're going to get with him. He's consistent man. Hopefully he ain't going nowhere."
That kind of endorsement matters more than people realize. It’s one thing to be smart from an Xs and Os standpoint, to design the right scheme, make the right adjustments, break down film, and prepare your team for every scenario, but it's another when your players have been saying for a while that you deserve a lead job.
Plenty of coordinators can do that, but being a head coach means more than drawing up plays. You need the locker room to believe in you. You need to command respect without forcing it. You need players who want to play hard for you, not because they’re scared of getting benched, but because they genuinely trust your leadership and vision.
Hearing a star player like James talk about Minter that way shows he checks both boxes. He’s clearly a strong football mind — the stats and on-field performance prove that — but he also seems to have the “leader of men” quality that teams value even more when choosing a head coach.
The alpha presence James described — that consistency, and reliability — those are the traits that help a coach survive the tough stretches of any given season. When a team hits a losing streak or injuries pile up, players look to the head coach for steadiness, not panic. It sounds like Minter brings that.
Los Angeles Chargers / YouTube
Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator, Jesse Minter during a press conferece.
Steelers Are Targeting Other Defensive-Minded Coaches
Minter isn’t the only defensive-minded coach catching the Steelers’ attention. Pittsburgh has requested interviews with a handful of other top coordinators around the league, including Chris Shula of the Los Angeles Rams, Brian Flores with the Minnesota Vikings, Jeff Hafley of the Green Bay Packers, Ejiro Evero of the Carolina Panthers, and Anthony Weaver of the Miami Dolphins.
Each of these coaches has built a reputation for strong defensive schemes and the ability to get the most out of their players. The Steelers clearly value a head coach who understands defense at a high level, but as with Minter, they’re also looking for someone who can lead a locker room and earn players’ trust.
#SteelerNation