One day after Mike Tomlin's resignation as head coach following 19 seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers requested interviews with five defensive coordinators and pass game specialists while signing 13 players to reserve/future contracts. Owner Art Rooney II's press conference confirmed an open-minded, weeks-long search—for full details, see prior coverage in this series.
The Steelers wasted no time post-Tomlin, sending interview requests on January 14 to: Nate Scheelhaase (Rams pass game coordinator); Chris Shula (Rams DC); Anthony Weaver (Dolphins DC); Jesse Minter (Chargers DC); and Brian Flores (Vikings DC, former Steelers linebackers coach in 2022).
Flores, who went 24-25 as Dolphins head coach, impressed during his Pittsburgh stint. Tomlin previously praised him: “Initially it was about getting a qualified coach back into the fold... it was obvious that he fit in around here.” Flores is also interviewing for the Commanders' DC job but expected to speak with the Steelers soon.
Simultaneously, Pittsburgh filled out its 90-man offseason roster with 13 reserve/future signings, mostly familiar faces from 2025 practice squads: RBs Max Hurleman, Lew Nichols (one special teams tackle vs. Colts); WRs Cole Burgess (strong college stats: 178 rec., 3,133 yds, 35 TDs), John Rhys Plumlee (mimicked Caleb Williams in practice); OT Aiden Williams; OG Steven Jones; DT Kyler Baugh; DEs Anthony Goodlow, KJ Henry; OLB Julius Welschof; DBs Daequan Hardy, Jack Henderson; LS Cal Adomitis.
These steps provide depth amid the coaching transition—for Rooney's press conference and reactions, see the latest update in this series.
