The Pittsburgh Steelers have scheduled their interview with Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, according to a report by Adam Grosbard of the LA Daily News.
Shula and the Steelers will have a virtual interview on Friday, the same day the Steelers are also interviewing fellow Rams coach, offensive passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase.
The interview must be virtual because the Rams are still playing in the postseason, visiting the Chicago Bears on Sunday. If the Rams lose, the Steelers will be able to schedule in-person interviews with Scheelhaase and Shula starting on Monday, Jan. 19. If they win, they will have to wait until the week of Monday, Jan. 26.
Shula and Scheelhaase were the first two coaches the Steelers requested interviews after the resignation of Mike Tomlin and they will be among the first interviews on Friday. Shula is also expected to interview with the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins .
Shula has quickly emerged as one of the most sought-after candidates in this hiring cycle. Now in his second season as the Rams' defensive coordinator, he has overseen a unit that has consistently overachieved relative to personnel, blending discipline with creative pressure packages. Prior to his promotion, Shula served as Los Angeles ' linebackers coach and pass-rush coordinator, where he played a key role in developing the Rams' front seven.
Shula also carries one of the most recognizable names in NFL coaching history, as the grandson of Dolphins legend Don Shula.
While team president Art Rooney II has stated that the Steelers will not limit their search to defensive-minded candidates, it's difficult to ignore the organization's historical tendencies. The franchise's two most recent hires, Mike Tomlin, and Bill Cowher, both fit the mold of young, defensive-oriented leaders who emphasized culture and accountability alongside scheme.
From a schematic standpoint, Shula's background aligns seamlessly with Pittsburgh's defensive identity. The Rams operate primarily out of a 3–4 base with heavy nickel usage and zone-pressure concepts , a structure the Steelers have long relied upon to maximize edge defenders like T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith .
Still, the Steelers' coaching search extends far beyond X's and O's. This is a franchise defined by stability, internal development, and what is often referred to simply as "the standard." Replacing a coach who held the position for nearly two decades , even amid recent postseason struggles, is no small task. The next hire must not only deliver results but also preserve the organizational identity that has defined Pittsburgh for generations.
Regardless of the outcome, the coming weeks promise to be fascinating. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Steelers are navigating unfamiliar territory, and the direction they choose will shape the franchise for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Schedule Interview with Rams DC Chris Shula
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