Steelers head coach prediction replaces Mike Tomlin with high-profile Rams assistant

The Pittsburgh Steelers have kick-started their first coaching search in nearly two decades after Mike Tomlin stepped down on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh will interview over a dozen candidates over the next one or two weeks before landing on a head coaching hire. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula will be one of the names getting an interview.

Shula is set to speak with the Steelers on Friday, and The Baltimore Sun's C.J. Doon predicts the Rams assistant coach will become the next head coach of the Steelers.

Here is what Doon had to say about Shula and why he fits in Pittsburgh:

"The Steelers will be hiring just their fourth coach since 1969, so longevity is a must. Shula, 39, could stick around for a long time given his background and previous success. There’s no guarantee that Shula is interested in taking over a team without a legitimate quarterback already in place. If he is, there’s the question of who he’ll bring with him to run his offense. Given his background in the Sean McVay coaching tree, there should at least be some enticing options, including young head coaching candidate Nate Scheelhaase."

Shula has done a tremendous job with the Rams' defense this season, leading the unit to a top-ten scoring finish (20.4) and the sixth most sacks (47).

After elevating Los Angeles' defense in 2025 and playing a key role on Sean McVay's staff, Shula has become a prime head coaching candidate.

Shula and the Steelers would be a logical pairing, as Pittsburgh prefers defensive coaches, and Shula would get to work with a defense that has a ton of talent at every level.

Additionally, Shula will be able to bring in a promising offensive mind to serve as the offensive coordinator if Arthur Smith doesn't return. Rams passing coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase is a popular offensive coordinator candidate who could follow Shula to his next team.