Steelers Mailbag: Who should replace Mike Tomlin?

Q: I am not saying I’m for or against moving on from Coach Tomlin, but that topic comes up every year when the team is going through a tough stretch. When that topic comes up, people often say, “Who would you want to replace him that you think would do better?” So let’s play the hypothetical game. No need to get into whether there SHOULD be a coaching change, but let’s say that for whatever reason, there is a HC vacancy in Pittsburgh this offseason. Who are your top 3 candidates that would be realistic options to take over? – ThePen_IsMightier

A: My personal top three would be:

1. Mike McCarthy, former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys HC: Proven success in multiple places. Led Dallas to three consecutive 12-win seasons. The only seasons he didn’t have 12 wins were 2020 and 2024 when Dak Prescott was lost for the season in both years. He’s from Pittsburgh, as well, so there would be guaranteed interest from him.
2. Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks OC: One of the game’s top offensive coordinators, has the Seahawks as one of the league’s best offenses with sub-par weapons outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Could poach some Mike Macdonald assistants to build a quality defensive staff
3. Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers DC: One of the five best defensive minds in the game today, the Chargers’ defense is currently sixth in EPA per play, and I’d like to see him bring over quarterbacks coach Shane Day, who was the pass game coordinator under Brandon Staley when Justin Herbert had his best season in 2021.

Q: I know Kliff Kingsbury didn’t have the best final year at Arizona, but I feel like he could work as the new Steelers head coach with a new QB, assuming they get one in the draft and or try out Howard. Use our draft picks on WR and a RB, and More O-line help. Defensive coordinator should be older and bring in Deebo as a line coach . Byron Leftwitch be great QB coach and offense play caller for Kliff. – Steelersfan78

A: Kliff wouldn’t be my choice. I think he’s one of those guys like Josh McDaniels, who is a good coordinator, but not a good head coach. And that’s fine, not everyone is meant to be a head coach. That’s not to say he’ll never be a head coach again – he very well may be – but I wouldn’t want the Steelers to hire him.

Q: I would love to see Howard in the game, late in the fourth quarter, winning or losing, be nice to see what he’s got. – ERay

A: If they are winning by 20 or down by 20, sure. You guys also know where I fall in the Will Howard discourse. He seems like a swell guy, I wish him the best, but he wasn’t drafted to be the franchise quarterback, nor do I think he will be. If he turns out to be...