The Pittsburgh Steelers are weighing a bold direction at head coach, with early interviews signaling openness to a Super Bowl-winning resume as the franchise plans for life after Mike Tomlin by targeting Mike McCarthy.
The AFC North has begun formal discussions with candidates who have strong organizational or regional ties, a notable approach for a franchise that has long prioritized continuity and institutional fit.
According to ESPN, Brian Flores (former Steelers assistant coach) and McCarthy are the first two candidates to interview for the vacancy, marking a significant moment in one of the league’s most stable histories.
Flores, now the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, is scheduled to interview on Tuesday, while McCarthy, the former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packer’s head coach, will meet with the team Wednesday.
The opening is one of six remaining across the NFL, alongside the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens, yet Pittsburgh’s vacancy carries unique weight because of Tomlin’s sustained success.
He had led the Steelers to a Super Bowl title in the 2008 season and never posted a losing record across nearly two decades, setting an unusually high benchmark for whoever follows.
“I don’t want to sort of put any real parameters around it,” Rooney said, per ESPN. “We’re going to be an open book in terms of who we look for and the list that we build.
“So yeah, could I sign up for another Chuck Noll or another Bill Cowher or another Mike Tomlin? Sure.
The 62-year-old McCarthy is seeking a return after stepping away following his departure from Dallas at the end of the 2024 season, bringing with him a championship track record.
He spent 13 seasons with Green Bay, winning a Super Bowl, before guiding the Cowboys from 2020 through 2024, though postseason success there proved elusive.
McCarthy was linked to multiple openings earlier in the cycle, including the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, but both roles have since been filled, leaving Pittsburgh as a viable landing spot.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has noted that if Flores does not secure a head-coaching role, Minnesota is well positioned to retain him, underscoring his current leverage.
Will Mike Tomlin coach in 2026?
Tomlin exits with a 193-114-2 record, 13 playoff appearances, eight AFC North titles, and one Super Bowl win, though the team has not won a postseason game in nearly nine years.
But while Pittsburgh searches, Tomlin‘s own future remains defined by distance rather than immediacy, as reports indicate he does not plan to coach during the 2026 season.
Schefter reported that decision despite multiple teams reaching out shortly after his departure, with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport confirming immediate interest.
“This organization has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been an absolute honor to lead this team,” Tomlin said in a statement.
“I am also thankful to the players who gave everything they had every day, and to the coaches and staff whose commitment and dedication made this journey so meaningful.
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