The Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coaching search is heating up - and fast. While Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula still holds the top spot as the betting favorite to replace Mike Tomlin, there’s a new name surging up the ranks: Mike McCarthy.
Yes, that Mike McCarthy - the former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Green Bay Packers and, most recently, the Dallas Cowboys. McCarthy is scheduled to interview with the Steelers on Wednesday, and oddsmakers have taken notice.
Just a few days ago, he wasn’t even on the board. Now?
He’s sitting at +150, right behind Shula’s +125, and closing in quickly.
It’s a remarkable rise, considering McCarthy wasn’t even in the conversation when Tomlin stepped down last Tuesday. Early odds pointed to Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores as the frontrunner, but that momentum shifted quickly in Shula’s favor. Flores has held relatively steady at +300, while McCarthy has made the kind of leap that signals real traction behind the scenes.
Flores, of course, already has face time with the Steelers - he interviewed in person on Tuesday. That familiarity with the organization (he was on Pittsburgh’s staff in 2022) certainly helps his case, but it hasn’t been enough to keep pace with the recent buzz around Shula and McCarthy.
Anthony Weaver, the Baltimore Ravens’ associate head coach and defensive line coach, also interviewed this week. He’s further down the odds board at +2,200, but his name remains in the mix.
Just ahead of him is a pair of intriguing former head coaches: Sean McDermott and Kliff Kingsbury. McDermott, recently let go by the Bills, debuted at +600 but has since slid to +1,200.
Kingsbury, who’s been linked to a few offensive coordinator roles around the league, sits at +2,000.
As for Shula, he’s still the man to beat - at least in Vegas. The Steelers won’t be able to sit down with him until Monday, since the Rams are preparing for a massive NFC Championship showdown with the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. That delay could open the door for someone else to make a move, especially if McCarthy impresses during his interview.
Further down the list, we see some long shots like Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter (+4,000), Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (+5,000), and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. While it’s unlikely any of them leap into serious contention, this coaching carousel has already proven unpredictable.
The Steelers are clearly casting a wide net - from experienced head coaches like McCarthy and McDermott to up-and-coming coordinators like Shula and Weaver. It’s a pivotal hire for a franchise that’s had just three head coaches since 1969. And with the odds shifting by the day, this search is far from over.