{"id":696256,"date":"2026-01-22T12:27:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T12:27:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/696256\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T12:27:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T12:27:19","slug":"steelers-at-risk-of-losing-head-coach-interviewee-to-the-baltimore-ravens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/696256\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers At Risk Of Losing Head Coach Interviewee To The Baltimore Ravens"},"content":{"rendered":"

A total of 10 NFL teams, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, had, or still currently have, a head coaching opening. The 2026 offseason for the league has started off as dramatic as possible, which has made for plenty of storylines and battles for top candidates. The New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins\u00a0and Tennessee Titans\u00a0have already landed their guys, while six other franchises continue to comb through a vast majority of individuals looking to earn the right to be one of the 32 luckiest people in sports. One of the more fascinating facts is that three of these available jobs are in the AFC North.<\/p>\n

\"Steelers<\/p>\n

Jordan Schofield \/ SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)<\/p>\n

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stands on the field and watches his team practice during a 2025 training camp workout at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.<\/p>\n

Mike Tomlin<\/a>\u00a0had to be the biggest of all names to leave their post, even though he stepped down<\/a> on his own rather than being fired. His former rivals within the division, John Harbaugh\u00a0and Kevin Stefanski, have already landed lead jobs<\/a> in the NFC. Despite this, the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns\u00a0and Steelers all remain on the hunt for who will be the next leader in their respective locker rooms.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh has focused on plenty of defensive-minded coaches, and one that has gone slightly under the radar is Los Angeles Chargers\u00a0Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0#Steelers<\/a> completed virtual interviews this past week with:
-Ejiro Evero, CAR
-Jeff Hafley, GB
-Klay Kubiak, SF
-Jesse Minter, LAC
-Nate Scheelhaase, LAR
-Chris Shula, LAR
-Anthony Weaver, MIA
***In-person interviews to begin this week for selected candidates.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) January 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Steelers have been rather slow going after in-person interviews, as only two have been completed, and to fans’ knowledge, only one other is currently scheduled. Jeff Hafley\u00a0was hired by the Dolphins, while Brian Flores<\/a>\u00a0and Mike McCarthy<\/a>\u00a0have been the only two to complete an interview in person. Anthony Weaver\u00a0is expected in on Friday.<\/p>\n

For Pittsburgh, it seems as if getting Minter to the Steel City would be wise. He is a young up-and-comer that could be a head coach for a long time. Unfortunately, according to Jason La Canfora, the Steelers might have to play Minter two times a year, instead.<\/p>\n

Execs from multiple NFL front offices who are conducting head coaching searches believe the Ravens are moving close to a final decision and strongly anticipate Chargers DC Jesse Minter getting the job. The industry also expected Minter in BAL before Harbaugh was let go, FWIW<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Minter was with the Ravens from 2017 to 2020, so the franchise is rather familiar with him. Not only does it seem as if Baltimore is going to hire him, the Steelers haven’t even been reported to want to interview the Chargers’ defensive play-caller in person. That should tell a fan everything that there is to know about where everyone is expecting the coveted candidate to end up.<\/p>\n

\"Steelers<\/p>\n

Kirby Lee \/ Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter stands on the practice field with his arms crossed as the team gets a work out in.<\/p>\n

Theoretically, Pittsburgh could have its next head coach by Friday evening. Per the Rooney Rule, two minority candidates must be interviewed in person for this kind of position. Flores and Weaver are both set to have completed theirs by Friday, so anything could happen after that. However, the Steelers will likely wait until after the Conference Championship Games to speak more in depth with both Chris Shula<\/a>\u00a0and Nate Scheelhaase<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Steelers Didn’t Seem Too Interested In Minter Anyway<\/p>\n

While Minter did complete a virtual interview with Pittsburgh, his team is out of the postseason and he was not asked (as of Thursday morning) to fly to the Steel City for an in-person meeting. This hints at the fact that the Steelers’ brass may not feel as if it is worth it to go deeper into the process with him. It could simply be due to the fact that he wasn’t impressive, or because the overall belief is that an AFC North rival in the Ravens and General Manager Eric Decosta\u00a0will hire him.<\/p>\n

\"Steelers<\/p>\n

Ric Tapia \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter stands on the sideline while he communicates into his headset during a professional football game.<\/p>\n

Do you think that the Steelers still have interest in Minter? Let us know in the comments below!<\/p>\n