Chris Shula: A Fresh Face for the Steelers’ Coaching Search

Let’s talk about one of the best candidates for the Steelers’ head coaching vacancy. There are many great coaching options out there, including Mike McCarthy, John Harbaugh, and Brian Flores but in this article I will be looking at one of the younger prospects available who hasn’t had a head coaching shot yet, Chris Shula.

Chris Shula- Rams Defensive Coordinator

Chris Shula represents the type of head coach the Steelers have chased in the past: young, innovative, and with a strong defensive background. A member of the legendary Shula family, Chris has forged his own path in the NFL. He began as a quality control coach with the Chargers and joined the Rams in 2017 as an assistant linebackers coach. Over the next several years, he advanced through multiple defensive roles before being promoted to defensive coordinator. Now in his second season as the Rams’ DC, Shula has emerged as one of the top coaching candidates this hiring cycle.

Under his leadership, the Rams ranked among the league’s better defenses against the run, finishing 12th in rushing yards allowed per game, an area where the Steelers could use significant improvement. Perhaps most notable is how Shula’s defense generates pressure without heavy blitzing. In 2025, the Rams recorded the second-lowest blitz rate in the NFL at 18.1%, yet still ranked 12th in overall pressure (34.9%) and ninth in sacks. His 3-4 scheme is built on a flexible foundation with heavy use of disguise, a system that would translate naturally to Pittsburgh’s personnel. The Steelers have historically emphasized both edge rushers and linebackers. Shula’s approach maximizes those strengths while minimizing exposure in the secondary.

Shula is one of the few candidates who embodies everything the Steelers are seeking and represents a coach they can build around for the future. For a franchise aiming to return to its defensive roots, he stands out as one of the most promising options available.