The next generation of Pittsburgh Steelers football falls in the hands of Art Rooney II and Omar Khan. The duo, among a couple of other potential decision-makers, are in uncharted waters. The Mike Tomlin era in the Steel City is no longer, which means the brass in the front office is tasked with finding just the fourth head coach for the franchise dating back to the 1969 campaign. The norm would be going after a young, defensive-minded individual, but bringing in an innovative offensive genius is also possible given the current state of the NFL.
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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.
There have been several individuals that the team has expressed interest in, but some remain coaching in the postseason, which complicates matters. The Steelers will continue to go about the process and keep an open mind, but fans may be waiting longer than originally expected because the organization is not going to rush into anything at all when it comes to a decision that is this massive.
Two intriguing names to keep an eye on are Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase, both of the Los Angeles Rams. Sean McVay is one of the most well-respected leaders in the league, which is why it is no surprise that some of his assistants are once again getting looks to be head coaches. The two could even end up being a package deal, depending on how their interview processes go.
Pittsburgh always keeps details close to its chest, but that doesn't mean that certain information can't get out into the open. During a Monday segment on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, top NFL insider Albert Breer was asked about the Steelers' head coach search. Without much hesitation, he reported that Rooney and co. are already eyeing up someone specific.
"I can tell you right now; the Steelers really like Chris Shula," Breer said.
Shula has a long history of lineage at the professional football level. HIs grandfather is arguably the best head coach of all-time, which certainly doesn't hurt when buying into the fact that the sport runs in his blood. He has been the defensive coordinator for the Rams since the beginning of the 2024 season; and McVay is known as an offensive head coach. This means that Shula is truly running the show on the defensive side of the ball.
John McCoy / Associated Press
Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula roams the sidelines as his team participates in a regular season football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA.
Sure, the NFL has transitioned into an offensive league, but that doesn't mean defense and leadership aren't valued. At just 39 years of age, Shula is in the perfect position to attack a head-coaching position. It would be even better for him if he landed in a place that is known for stability like Pittsburgh. It could be an awesome fit for the two respective parties.
Anyone who has been in a coaching room with McVay has learned quite a bit. He is one of the smartest individuals throughout the league, and Shula has been with Los Angeles since 2017 — the same year that McVay was hired. It's no coincidence either, as the two were college roommates. It can be argued that Shula knows McVay and his tactics better than anyone.
While it would be refreshing for the Steelers to have offense in mind when hiring, it appears as if they are already locking in on Shula, who is one of the top candidates of the entire cycle. Rooney and Khan know they have to nail Tomlin's replacement, and it'd be hard to dismiss Shula if and when he puts pen to paper in the Steel City.
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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.
Steelers Could Have Chris Shula In Town For A Very Long Time
No one is expecting the Steelers' hire to come in and win a Super Bowl right away, but Shula has pedigree and leadership abilities. If and when he agrees to be Pittsburgh's next head coach, he could plant roots in the Steel City that lead to him being around for several decades. Breer's reporting is encouraging, and means that the team is truly interested in one of the smartest coaches on the market.
Do you think the Steelers and Shula are a good fit for one another? Let us know in the comments below!
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