After 19 seasons, Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, closing the book on one of the NFL’s most consistent and respected coaching tenures. Now, the Steelers are in unfamiliar territory-searching for a new leader on the sideline for the first time in nearly two decades.
Naturally, the coaching carousel is already spinning with familiar names. Chris Shula and Brian Flores have emerged as early favorites, and both make a lot of sense.
Shula brings the pedigree and rising stock as a young coordinator, while Flores already has a deep understanding of the Steelers organization from his time on Tomlin’s staff. But as we know, the NFL rarely follows a straight line when it comes to coaching hires, and Pittsburgh may be keeping an eye on a situation developing 600 miles west in Green Bay.
Could Matt LaFleur Be in Play?
During a recent appearance on ESPN Milwaukee, NFL insider Adam Schefter dropped a nugget that raised some eyebrows. The Green Bay Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur are in the middle of contract negotiations-and they’re dragging on longer than expected.
“I think both sides would like to make that happen,” Schefter said, “but it’s now 7:37 a.m. on Wednesday, and they’ve been trying to do this for a little while and still have not gotten it figured out.”
While there’s no indication that a deal won’t get done, the longer this thing lingers, the more intriguing it becomes-especially for a team like the Steelers, who are still weighing their options.
LaFleur is under contract through the 2026 season, so any move would require a trade. That’s a big hurdle. But if the Packers and LaFleur can’t come to terms on an extension, and if Pittsburgh isn’t sold on the current crop of candidates, things could get interesting in a hurry.
Why LaFleur Would Appeal to Pittsburgh
Let’s be clear: Matt LaFleur isn’t just another name on a list. He’s a proven head coach with a 50-win résumé and a reputation as one of the league’s top offensive minds. Yes, his postseason record has come under scrutiny-those playoff exits in Green Bay have left a mark-but he’s consistently put his team in position to compete at a high level.
That kind of experience isn’t easy to find, especially for a franchise like Pittsburgh that values stability and leadership. LaFleur would bring both, along with a modern offensive philosophy that could breathe new life into a Steelers team still searching for its next quarterback identity.
What Would Have to Happen
This is all hypothetical-for now. But if the Steelers were to seriously consider LaFleur, a few dominoes would need to fall.
First, Green Bay would have to be open to parting ways with their head coach. That’s no small thing, especially with LaFleur still under contract.
Second, Pittsburgh would need to be underwhelmed by its current pool of candidates. They’ve already sent out interview requests, and the process is well underway.
Waiting too long could mean missing out on other options.
Finally, a trade would need to be negotiated, likely involving draft compensation and a sizable contract extension for LaFleur. That’s a lot of moving parts-and a tight window to make it all happen.
Bottom Line
Is Matt LaFleur to Pittsburgh likely? Not particularly.
But is it worth monitoring? Absolutely.
The Steelers don’t make rash decisions. They’re one of the most stable organizations in football, and they’ll take their time to find the right fit. But if Green Bay’s negotiations with LaFleur go sideways, and Pittsburgh sees an opportunity to land an experienced, offensive-minded head coach with a winning track record, don’t be surprised if they at least make a phone call.
For now, it’s a long shot. But in the NFL, long shots have a funny way of turning into headlines.