Steelers Analysis - Who Could Be A Suitable Candidate to Replace Mike Tomlin?

In what has been a rollercoaster season for the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers, their humiliating home loss to the Buffalo Bills marked the lowest point yet.

Late in the game, frustration boiled over as a large contingent of Steelers fans at Acrisure Stadium erupted into chants of “Fire Tomlin.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin has increasingly become the target of fan ire, with many calling for the organization to move on. Yet, there are few signs the front office shares that sentiment—especially considering Tomlin signed a three-year extension before the start of the 2024 season.

At some point, however, the reality may set in that the Steelers need to move forward without Tomlin. The challenge lies in finding a successor who can not only match his accomplishments but ultimately surpass them.

The pressing question is: who would be the right person to take over? Truthfully, many top candidates are already spoken for. But if the Steelers cast a wide net, there are several names that deserve serious consideration.

---

Brian Flores

Current Role: Defensive Coordinator, Minnesota Vikings

• Head Coaching Experience: Miami Dolphins (2019–2021)

• Steelers Connection: Former senior defensive assistant in Pittsburgh

Flores may not be an offensive-minded coach, but his leadership and organizational fit make him impossible to overlook. He already understands the Steelers’ culture from his previous time on staff, and his defensive pedigree perfectly aligns with the franchise’s identity. If hired, Flores would likely pair himself with a forward-thinking offensive coordinator, creating a model similar to what the Ravens have successfully built under John Harbaugh.

His greatest value lies on the defensive side of the ball, where he has consistently been ranked among the league’s top coordinators. Ultimately, his presence would reinforce the accountability and toughness that define the Steelers’ standard.

Kliff Kingsbury

Current Role: Offensive Coordinator, Washington Commanders

• Head Coaching Experience: Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022)

Kingsbury is synonymous with offensive creativity. His Air Raid principles emphasize spacing, tempo, and quarterback-friendly reads—exactly the kind of system that could help unlock Kenny Pickett or his eventual successor. While his tenure in Arizona was uneven, Kingsbury demonstrated that he can lead a team and design explosive passing attacks. For a Steelers franchise that has often lacked offensive innovation and ingenuity, his philosophy could provide a much-needed breath of fresh air.

Frank Smith

Current Role: Offensive Coordinator, Miami Dolphins

• Head Coaching Experience: None

  
  

Smith has been a driving force behind Miami’s high-tempo offense, built on speed and spacing. For Pittsburgh, his value wouldn’t lie in fixing a broken offensive line—Pat Meyer’s group has been the Steelers’ most consistent unit. Instead, Smith’s appeal is in his ability to layer innovation onto a solid foundation, crafting schemes that maximize playmakers like DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, and Jaylen Warren (Roman Wilson not be underestimated). With protection already reliable, Smith could turn his focus toward unlocking explosive plays and modernizing the passing attack.