Steelers linked to first HC candidate to replace Mike Tomlin: 'Makes too much sense'

Mike Tomlin shocked the NFL world on Tuesday by stepping away from the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons. But it didn’t take long for the Steelers to be linked with potential head coach candidates.

According to Jordan Schultz of FOX, the team might take a serious look at Brian Flores, who spent time with the organization in 2022. “That makes too much sense,” a high-level executive reportedly told Schultz, as the insider wrote on his X account.

Flores has drawn interest from multiple teams in the currrent coaching cycle, having recently interviewed for the head coaching job of Steelers AFC North rivals Baltimore Ravens. His lone experience as an NFL head coach with the Miami Dolphins didn’t end nicely, but the Steelers helped Flores rebuild his reputation.

Tomlin and Pittsburgh welcomed Flores with open arms despite his noisy departure from Miami in 2022, bringing him in as senior defensive assistant & linebackers coach.

Brian Flores before a Steelers game against the Dolphins in 2022.

However, Flores left the City of Bridges only a year later to join Kevin O’Connell’s staff at the Minnesota Vikings as defensive coordinator. Flash-forward to 2026, he might be facing a second chance at head coaching on a team he’s already familiar with.

Other candidates to compete with Flores for Steelers HC opening

see also

Mike Tomlin leaves Steelers: What was his record and for how many years did he coach Pittsburgh?

Either way, Flores will not be the only candidate linked to this position. The Steelers now have one of the most exciting openings in the NFL, so they won’t be lacking in coaches interested to take over.

John Harbaugh would be an interesting target given his past as a division rival for nearly two decades, while Kevin Stefanski is another option with recent head coaching experience in the AFC North.

If the Steelers don’t mind about recent experience and prefer a stronger resume instead, Mike McCarthy might be a name to watch. We’re talking about a head coach with a Super Bowl ring under his belt — won with none other than Aaron Rodgers on the Green Bay Packers. With Tomlin’s departure probably affecting Rodgers’ future, perhaps a reunion with McCarthy could help the Steelers persuade the 4x NFL MVP to stay.

A big decision to make in Pittsburgh

What’s for certain is that the Steelers will make their due diligence before naming Tomlin’s replacement. Not only are they looking for a new head coach for the first time in almost two decades, but we’re also talking about a job that only a handful of people have held throughout history.

Tomlin has been only the third Steelers head coach since 1969, which is why the Rooney family will probably evaluate their next move carefully before deciding who’s worthy of joining the exclusive list of Steelers head coaches.