Rams coach 'connected' to Steelers as possible Mike Tomlin replacement

Entering Week 18, there have been rumors that the losing head coach of the contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens could be looking for a new job this offseason. 

The Steelers will host the Ravens in a winner-take-all for the AFC North. The loser will miss the postseason. 

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated suggested Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh would not be fired if they lose on "Sunday Night Football." However, they could look for an exit.

Breer noted Pittsburgh has been linked to Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula (son of Don Shula).

"There is some thought that Mike Tomlin could look at a reset, with the Pittsburgh roster potentially going through one soon too, and take a year or two in TV before returning to the sideline," Breer wrote. "And interestingly enough, Shula’s name has been connected to the Steelers, in case there is an opening."

Long playoff-win drought for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Tomlin has not won a playoff game with Pittsburgh since 2016, when they made the AFC Championship Game but lost to the New England Patriots. Since then, the Steelers have lost their last five postseason games.

That's a tough decade for a proud organization and fan base. 

Frankly, Pittsburgh has become a stale franchise in recent years under Tomlin. Some of that is because the team has not found a suitable replacement after Ben Roethlisberger retired. Even an aging Aaron Rodgers had not made the Steelers much more dangerous than Russell Wilson did last year.

Tomlin would be better off finding a team with an already established young quarterback, while Pittsburgh might like the energy that a young coach like Shula brings.

Shula has been with the Rams since 2017 when he came over from the Chargers to become an assistant linebackers coach. He was a part of the team that won Super Bowl LVI. 

Shula, 39, worked his way up to become defensive coordinator in 2024.

The Rams rank eighth in scoring defense and eighth in total defense entering Week 18.