Could Former Steelers Player Be in the Mix to Replace Mike Tomlin?

The Pittsburgh Steelers could look to replace head coach Mike Tomlin with one of their former players.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun their search for their next head coach after Mike Tomlin announced he’s stepping away this week. However, some believe one of their former players could be in the running to replace Tomlin.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks former Steelers wide receiver and current Chicago Bears assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El could prove to be an interesting candidate.

“I don’t think assistant head coach is going to make you more likely to draw interest. Typically, it is someone who was a coordinator, offensive or defensive, who gets the head coaching job,” Florio said on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan. “It’s not out of the question, but I don’t think having assistant head coach in your title is really going to change anything. If you’re a candidate, you’re a candidate, and I don’t think it adds to your experience as it relates to whether or not you would be able to be the guy who stands up in front of the room and runs the team. It’s good to have the connection to the Steelers.”

Randle El, 46, began his NFL career as a second-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by Pittsburgh. From 2002-05, he recorded 162 catches for 2,012 yards and seven touchdowns.

However, he is probably most remembered for his 43-yard reverse touchdown pass to Hines Ward in the fourth quarter of the Steelers Super Bowl XL victory.

Randle El then went on to play for Washington from 2006-09 before finishing his playing career back with Pittsburgh in 2010.

He announced his retirement from professional football on July 13, 2012 and became the athletic director at Virginia Academy in 2013.

Randle El eventually found his way into coaching, earning an opportunity with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 as an offensive assistant coach.

In 2021, the Detroit Lions brought him on as their wide receivers coach, and this season, the Bears gave him his most recent opportunity.

Randel El hasn’t been mentioned with some of the other top head coaching candidates this cycle, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Steelers aren’t interested in him.

Pittsburgh has long loved having NFL bloodlines throughout its organization, and Randle El could prove to be the latest example.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Could Former Steelers Player Be in the Mix to Replace Mike Tomlin?