A particularly deafening silence has taken over the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ office lately. After Mike Tomlin’s sudden departure, and Aaron Rodgers appearing in two minds about his future with the team, more unfortunate developments are on the way. Going by the current state of affairs, the offseason will be less of a rebuild. An unwanted exodus might be the more fitting way to describe it.

“The Steelers have told all of Mike Tomlin’s assistant coaches they are free to pursue other opportunities and won’t be retained unless the new head coach wants to rehire them, per multiple sources,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac wrote on X. “All coaches are under contract through the end of February.”

This includes quarterbacks coach Tom Arth, wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, running backs coach Eddie Faulkner, offensive line coach Pat Meyer, tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts, assistant offensive line coach Isaac Williams, offensive assistants Matt Baker and Mateo Kambui, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who’s already knee-deep in his efforts to jump ship.

As per reports, Smith, who currently has a year left on his three-year contract, interviewed for a head coaching job with the Arizona Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans, his former team. He also has an interview scheduled with the Detroit Lions for an OC role. For a team that has always believed in the sustenance and stability of its coaching staff, it’s evidently a nightmare situation for owner Art Rooney II, who was even unwilling to let Tomlin go.

“I was certainly willing to take another run at it next year with Mike,” Rooney told reporters the head coach announced his decision. “That’s what I was expecting to talk about yesterday but obviously went in a different direction.”

The ripple effects don’t end there, though. The owner suspects Rodgers’ name is bound to come up in similar fashion soon.

“Aaron came here to play for Mike, so I think it will most likely affect his decision,” Rooney said the same day.

Interestingly, Pittsburgh still retains Tomlin’s rights as he is under contract for 2026. If at all the coach is interested in return, the team might receive compensation for its coach based on recent precedent.

But that doesn’t mean the team is going to wait. In fact, they’ve already started looking for the next best option.

Steelers to interview Rams coordinator to replace Mike Tomlin

After Mike Tomlin’s exit, the Steelers are set to open their first round of interviews. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Pittsburgh will hold a virtual interview on Jan. 16 with Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.

Scheelhaase is clearly in demand across the league. Along with the Steelers, he is scheduled to interview with the Silver and Black in Sin City, the Ravens of Charm City, and the Browns from the Dawg Pound tomorrow. That kind of traffic does not happen by accident. A former quarterback at Illinois from 2009 to 2013, Scheelhaase piled up 8,568 passing yards and 55 touchdowns before turning his focus to coaching.

After that, his climb felt steady and intentional. He spent years in the college game, first at his alma mater from 2015 to 2017, then at Iowa State from 2018 through 2023. Because of that work, Rams head coach Sean McVay brought him to the City of Angels ahead of the 2024 season as an offensive assistant and pass game specialist.

Eventually, the results spoke loudly enough to earn more responsibility. This season, Scheelhaase stepped into the pass game coordinator role and helped fuel one of the league’s most explosive attacks. Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns, while the Rams led the NFL in yards per game at 394.6.

Still, some around the league question whether the jump to head coach might come too soon. Learning under McVay carries real weight. A young offensive mind with proven production almost always draws serious looks during a coaching cycle.

For now, Pittsburgh has leaned toward defensive-minded options. However, Scheelhaase stands out as a curveball. With Tomlin stepping down earlier this week, the Steelers may see this as the moment to pivot and bet on offense.