After wrapping up his second season as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, Chris Shula found himself in the spotlight-not for the Rams’ playoff exit, but for the buzz surrounding his future as a potential NFL head coach. And now, that buzz has turned into a bit of a firestorm.
The Rams' season came to a halt in the NFC Championship Game, where they fell 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks. It wasn’t the defensive showcase Shula might’ve hoped for, especially with Sam Darnold and the Seahawks offense finding ways to move the ball at Lumen Field. Still, Shula's name remained in the mix for head coaching opportunities around the league.
One of the teams reportedly interested? The Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to team owner Art Rooney II, Shula was one of four candidates the organization interviewed for its head coaching vacancy, alongside Brian Flores and Anthony Weaver. The job ultimately went to Mike McCarthy, but the post-interview chatter didn’t end there.
A report from Pittsburgh Sports Radio personality Andrew Fillipponi claimed Shula “bombed” his virtual interview with the Steelers. The word “bombed” was used directly, suggesting the interview didn’t just fall short-it went off the rails. That kind of language, especially in the ultra-competitive world of NFL coaching, can stick.
But Rams team president Kevin Demoff wasn’t having it. He came to Shula’s defense publicly, pushing back hard against the report and questioning the process more than the person.
“In talking to the Steelers there is no truth to this,” Demoff posted on X (formerly Twitter). “But maybe rather than trying to build up your name by tearing someone else down, you should examine a process that has coaches having the biggest job interviews of their life crammed into an hour the day before a playoff game.”
That last part is key. Shula’s interview reportedly took place right before the Rams’ biggest game of the season.
Trying to prep for a conference championship while also pitching yourself for a head coaching gig? That’s a tough ask for any coach, no matter how experienced or composed.
Demoff’s support isn’t just about defending one of his coaches-it’s a calculated move to protect Shula’s reputation in league circles. Public perception matters, especially when you’re a young coordinator trying to make the leap to head coach. A narrative like “he bombed the interview” can linger, even if it’s not rooted in fact.
While most head coaching vacancies have already been filled, a few are still open-the Raiders, Cardinals, Bills, and Browns are still finalizing their plans. But with time running out, it’s looking more and more likely that Shula will return to the Rams in 2026 as defensive coordinator.
And that’s not a bad fallback. Under Shula, the Rams defense took a clear step forward during the regular season.
They showed growth, toughness, and adaptability-traits that reflect well on Shula’s leadership. If he stays in L.A., he’ll have another chance to build on that progress and strengthen his resume for the next hiring cycle.
For now, the noise around the Steelers interview may fade, but the spotlight on Shula won’t. He’s in that phase of his career where every move is scrutinized, every rumor magnified. But with the backing of Rams leadership and a defense trending in the right direction, his head coaching window might not be open just yet-but it’s far from closed.