The Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff has become a hot commodity this offseason, with a total of 11 interview requests for Sean McVay’s top assistants, including defensive coordinator Chris Shula, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, and passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase. As the NFL landscape shifts, the Pittsburgh Steelers have also entered the search for a new head coach following the departure of veteran Mike Tomlin, who led the team for nearly two decades.
Amid these developments, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has highlighted Scheelhaase as a potential candidate for the Steelers’ head coaching position. He described Scheelhaase as a “dynamic personality” that mirrors some of Tomlin’s attributes, suggesting that his unique perspective could provide a fresh direction for the storied franchise. Rapoport noted that while Scheelhaase’s coaching experience is limited, he is viewed by McVay as a future head coach, making him a compelling choice for Pittsburgh.
At just 35 years old, Scheelhaase has only two NFL seasons under his belt, having initially begun his coaching career at Illinois, his alma mater. He quickly advanced from position coach to offensive coordinator at Iowa State from 2019 to 2023 before joining the Rams in 2024. His trajectory in coaching, while brisk, echoes the early beginnings of Tomlin, who was also 35 when he assumed the Steelers’ head coach role after a mere year as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.
Regardless of whether Scheelhaase secures a head coaching position this time around, his rising profile could lead to other opportunities, including a potential promotion within the Rams if LaFleur departs. As the coaching carousel spins, Scheelhaase’s name is likely to remain in the spotlight.
While in-person interviews for head coaching vacancies cannot take place until next week, teams are permitted to conduct virtual interviews ahead of the upcoming divisional round match against the Chicago Bears, setting the stage for what could be significant changes in the coaching ranks as the NFL offseason progresses.