The Pittsburgh Steelers are out of the NFL playoffs. But this year’s postseason could still have a significant impact on the franchise.
The Steelers are in the market for a new head coach. Two of the team’s current nine known head coach candidates are with teams still in the postseason.
Both are Los Angeles Rams assistants — defensive coordinator Chris Shula and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.
The Steelers will not be able to interview either Rams assistant for at least another week. That’s because Los Angeles knocked off the Chicago Bears to advance to the NFC championship game, 20-17, Sunday night.
According to The Athletic, “teams cannot schedule initial interviews with candidates employed by AFC or NFC Championship participants until the end of the employer team’s season, and the employer teams cannot voluntarily grant permission to their coaches to participate in interviews.”
The Steelers, though, could have a chance to interview either Rams assistant during the bye week of the Super Bowl (if Los Angeles is in the big game).
In summary, the Steelers have a bit of a decision to make this week. They can move completely forward with the interview process with their other seven candidates.
Or, the Steelers can begin those interviews and not plan to make a final decision until after also speaking with Shula and Scheelhaase.
Chris Shula Favorite to be Next Steelers Head Coach?
There really isn’t a true frontrunner yet in the Steelers head coaching search. But the reason why the Rams advancing in the postseason is significant for Pittsburgh is Vegas considers Shula the frontrunner.
According to the odds from DraftKings, Shula is the betting favorite to replace Mike Tomlin. It’s easy to understand why.
Shula has coordinated the Rams defense each of the past two years. In 2025, Los Angeles finished 10th in points allowed and 17th in yards.
On the road against the Bears in the NFC divisional round, they proved to be a formidable unit. The Rams held Chicago to 17 points and intercepted Caleb Williams three times.
Although he’s only 39 years old, Shula has more than a decade of NFL coaching experience. He’s been under Sean McVay in Los Angeles since 2017. He’s also the grandson of legendary former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula.
In conclusion, Shula possesses the coaching lineage. More importantly, he has ties to the McVay coaching tree, which would help the Steelers land a quality offensive coordinator if Shula became head coach.
In fact, that OC could be Scheelhaase. The Rams passing game coordinator is a long shot to be Pittsburgh’s next head coach according to DraftKings. He only has two years of NFL coaching experience.
That likely means Scheelhaase is a few more years away from being ready to become a head coach. But along the way, he could coordinator the Steelers offense under Shula.
Other Steelers Head Coach Candidates
While Shula is the betting favorite, the Steelers don’t usually go with the traditional choice at head coach. They certainly didn’t when they hired Tomlin 19 years ago.
Coaches such as Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm were the favorites to be Pittsburgh’s next head coach in 2007. But Tomlin aced his interview and the rest is history.
The interview process is very likely to have a major impact on the Steelers’ head coach decision this time around as well.
Beginning this week, the organization is set to interview Brian Flores in person. The interview will be Flores’ second with the team.
Mike McCarthy is another former NFL head coach the Steelers are reportedly set to speak to about the opening.
Assistants Jeff Hafley, Jesse Minter, Ejiro Evero, Klay Kubiak and Anthony Weaver are the other candidates the Steelers are currently considering.
In all likelihood, Shula and Scheelhaase will remain candidates. The Steelers appear content on taking their time with this decision.
There is a chance, though, that if someone really shines in their interview this week, Shula and Scheelhaase will be playing catch up when they finally get their chance.
Steelers Potentially Face Critical Decision in Head Coaching Search