The chapter after the Mike Tomlin era for the Pittsburgh Steelers is about to begin. It will apparently start with the organization interviewing a pair of Los Angeles Rams assistants for the head coach opening.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Steelers made requests to interview Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and defensive coordinator Chris Shula. Other NFL insiders also reported the Steelers requests to interview Scheelhaase and Shula.
Pundits expect the Steelers to cast a wide net in their head coach search. These are the first of potentially many interview requests the team will make.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers first known head coach interview request is for Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, per source,” Schefter posted on X. “Baltimore, Cleveland and Las Vegas also have requested interviews with him during this hiring cycle.”
NFL insider Albert Breer detailed on social media why Scheelhaase and Shula fit the Steelers’ head coaching profile.
“Both guys are in their 30s, have a real presence, fit what Pittsburgh has looked for in the past,” posted Breer.
The grandson of the NFL’s all-time wins leader, Shula began his coaching career in 2010 at 24 years old. He joined the NFL as a defensive quality control coach in 2015.
He’s served on Sean McVay’s staff with the Rams since the head coach arrived in Los Angeles during 2017. He rose from assistant linebackers coach in 2017 to defensive coordinator, which has been his role the past two seasons.
Scheelhaase started his coaching career at the college level as well at 25 years old in 2015. He made the jump to the NFL with the Rams last season.
In 2024, Scheelhaase was an offensive assistant and passing game specialist. This past season, he served as Rams pass game coordinator.
Steelers Request to Interview Nate Scheelhaase: Report
Team President Art Rooney II told reporters Wednesday he would love to find the next Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher or Mike Tomlin. All three head coaches came from the defensive side of the ball.
But Rooney also said in his press conference that the organization wasn’t going to put themselves into a narrow box of candidates. So, Steelers fans should expect the team to consider head coach candidates with offensive backgrounds.
Scheelhaase has that even though he doesn’t possess a ton of NFL experience.
During 2025, the Rams finished first in yards and points scored. In the passing game, Los Angeles was also first in yards and touchdowns while throwing the fourth-fewest interceptions.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is the frontrunner for MVP with a league-leading 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns.
In 2024, the Rams were 10th in passing yards and 16th in passing touchdowns.
Chris Shula Another Steelers Candidate to Replace Mike Tomlin
It doesn’t get much better than the coaching pedigree Chris Shula possesses.
His grandfather, Don, set a new NFL record with 328 regular season wins over 33 seasons with the then Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins. His father, Dave Shula, who was head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 1992-96.
Chris only has one year of experience as a coordinator, but the same was true for Tomlin when the Steelers hired him.
Both Scheelhaase and Shula would bring McVay’s offensive influence as a head coach. But in Shula’s case, he would also continue Steelers tradition of hiring a defensive-minded head coach.
The Rams finished 10th in points allowed and 17th in yards yielded during 2025. Furthermore, the unit was fifth in takeaways and allowed the fewest rushing touchdowns.
NFL teams are only permitted to virtually interview candidates on teams still in the playoffs until the conclusion of the divisional round. The Rams face the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
According to The Athletic, the Steelers will not be able to interview Scheelhaase and Shula in person until the conclusion of their season or until the bye week of the Super Bowl if the Rams win the NFC championship.
Steelers Make First HC Interview Requests Since Mike Tomlin Exit: Report