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Shortly after the Steelers were eliminated from the playoffs, longtime coach Mike Tomlin resigned, sending shockwaves through the NFL.
“While this chapter is coming to an end, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization and I will be forever grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh,” Tomlin said last week in a statement.
Tomlin’s decision pushed the Steelers, a franchise that has had just three head coaches since the 1969 season, into a rare coaching search. With Art Rooney II and Omar Khan leading the search, the Steelers have begun interviewing candidates.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has publicly weighed in on the team’s direction.
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Ben Roethlisberger (7) of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands next to head coach Mike Tomlin prior to an NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field on Dec. 19, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
While the Steelers have traditionally focused on coaches with defensive backgrounds, Roethlisberger wants to see an offensive-minded coach get an opportunity to take the reins.
“I’m going to strongly consider a few things … my first thought is, I want an offensive-minded head coach,” the Super Bowl winner said on “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.”
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“That’s what I would do if I was a general manager. We’ve had defensive-minded coaches in here, that’s what they’ve all been, I’m ready for an offensive guy, I want to score more than six points in a postseason game. I’d love a younger, offensive-minded head coach, a (Sean) Ben McVay-ish guy who would be successful with Johnson, and hopefully be successful enough, and who would be successful with Johnson. You could stay here … the next long-term coach.”
Roethlisberger said an offensive-minded head coach should be paired with a veteran defensive coordinator, pointing to Jim Schwartz and Vic Fangio as possibilities.
The Pittsburgh Steelers logo at midfield a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Pittsburgh. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
Roethlisberger also endorsed former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy as a candidate for the Steelers job.
“My next pick would literally be Mike McCarthy,” Roethlisberger said. “Mike McCarthy is a veteran offensive line coach with Pittsburgh ties, he understands the Steeler way, what it means to be a Steeler and the Rooney family and how it works. Big respect for him. He could bring in a younger coordinator or whatever to help. The potential downside to that is how long would he keep coaching? I don’t know.”
Ben Roethlisberger (7) of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on Dec. 5, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
“The potential upside of coming in here would be the potential of Aaron Rodgers coming back,” Roethlisberger said. “They have a relationship together. I figure that’s good enough. They won a Super Bowl together. You could bring in his offense. Aaron would know the offense and feel super comfortable in an offense he knows.”
Aaron Rodgers finished his first season in Pittsburgh with 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Steelers survived against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to claim the AFC North and clinch the final postseason berth.
While it remains unclear whether Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh in 2026, pursue another team or opt to retire, Roethlisberger expressed support for seeing the four-time league MVP play for the Steelers next season.
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