The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for their fourth head coach since 1969 and a savvy, up-and-coming target was named over the weekend by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. He mentioned that San Francisco 49ers Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak could be an option as the team's next head coach. It was reported on Thursday by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Kubiak had been requested by Pittsburgh for an interview to fill the head-coaching vacancy. Now, with the 49ers' loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round on Saturday night, the Steelers can conduct an in-person interview with Kubiak.
Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP photo
49ers Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak.
The Steelers have long looked to hire defensive-minded head coaches in their history, but this would be a great time to pivot in that mindset and look for a more offensive-minded guy for the vacancy. Kubiak orchestrated the 2025 season for the 49ers' offense through several injuries, including time missed by wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and tight end George Kittle, who sustained an Achilles injury in the Wild Card Round against the Philadelphia Eagles which ended his season.
"The Steelers have put in a request to interview San Francisco 49ers Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak for their head coach position, per sources," Dulac tweeted on Thursday.
The Steelers' offense failed to reach the end zone in their 2025 Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans, extending a near decade-long playoff skid. Kubiak is also the son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak, who coached the Seahawks, as well as the Denver Broncos. Due to NFL rules, the loss by the 49ers now opens up the chance for the Steelers to conduct an interview with Klay in-person, rather than virtually with San Francisco eliminated.
The Steelers have had several defensive coordinators linked to the head-coaching vacancy, which is consistent with the franchise's mindset in their past coaching searches. The Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, as well as Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula, have also been linked as names to fill the vacancy. Shula, the grandson of former NFL legendary head coach Don Shula, cannot be interviewed in-person with the Rams preparing to play the Seahawks in the NFC Championship game.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula might follow in his father’s and late grandfather’s footsteps and become an NFL head coach in the near future.
Steelers' Meticulous Approach Should Be Open-Minded To Innovating Offense
It is clear the Steelers will go through their coaching search with a meticulous approach, as they are not known for a lot of turnover throughout their history at the head-coaching position. While Shula would be an intriguing hire, as it is heavily speculated he could bring in Passing Game Coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, the Steelers would likely benefit better from seeking out an offensive-mind coach to fill the vacancy and look to innovate an offense that desperately needs it.
This is where Kubiak comes into play, as he was named a savvy sleeper that entered the mix by Pelissero. While the 49ers did not find the end zone on Saturday in their loss to Seattle, Kubiak found ways to innovate their offense throughout the season. In their matchup in the Wild Card Round against the Eagles, Kubiak dialed up a play where wide receiver Jauan Jennings connected on a 29-yard touchdown pass with running back Christian McCaffrey early in the fourth quarter. This play put the 49ers on top 17-16 early on in the fourth quarter and provided a spark to ultimately defeat the Eagles.
Jeff Chiu / ap photo
San Francisco 49ers offensive passing game specialist, Klay Kubiak looks on during NFL football training camp in Santa Clara, Calif., July 31, 202
Kubiak has worked his way up in the 49ers organization and is well-known that their head coach, Kyle Shanahan, loves what he has gotten out of him as their offensive coordinator. The Steelers have not put out an explosive or innovative style of offense in quite some time. Their 2025 postseason loss to the Texans furthered that narrative. Kubiak is the kind of young guy, at 38-years-old, that can come into Pittsburgh and innovate their offense.
Would you like to see the Steelers look at a candidate with an offensive-mind to fill their head coaching vacancy? Let us know in the comments below!
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