PITTSBURGH — Steelers assistant head coach Russ Grimm will interview for head coaching vacancies with the Lions, Packers and Saints later this week, after the Pittsburgh coaches have finalized their game plan for Sunday's divisional playoff game in Indianapolis.

Grimm, the offensive line coach, is seen as a front-runner for the Lions' job and will be interviewed Thursday night in Pittsburgh by Lions president Matt Millen. The Packers' interview will be on Friday.

The Saints, who may interview Grimm by phone, are looking to replace former Steelers assistant coach Jim Haslett, who was fired following a 3-13 season.

Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt also has one interview this week, with the St. Louis Rams — his first for a head coaching position. Whisenhunt, a Steelers coordinator for two years, called the throwback pass to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that resulted in a game-sealing touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson during Sunday's 31-17 playoff victory in Cincinnati.

Grimm, a former star on the Washington Redskins' offensive line known as the Hogs, was a finalist with Lovie Smith for the Bears' job before Smith was hired two years ago. After that interview, Grimm added the title of assistant head coach in Pittsburgh. He also interviewed with the Browns last season, before Romeo Crennel was hired.

The Lions have already talked to or plan to talk to interim coach Dick Jauron, who took over when Steve Mariucci was fired two months ago; Haslett, Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, Browns offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon; Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis and Buccaneers defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.

According to NFL rules, NFL assistant coaches can be interviewed this week but cannot be talked to again until after their team's last game — which means some coaches may not interviewed until after the Super Bowl.

Steelers coach Bill Cowher said he wouldn't stand in the way of any coach who wanted to become a head coach, but probably wishes the interviews didn't come before his team's biggest game of the season.

"I will tell the players, as I've told the coaches, there will be no more questions about it, there will be no more discussion about it, our focus this week will be on the Indianapolis Colts," Cowher said Tuesday. "I don't think it will be a distraction at all and, having gone through the process myself, if anything it's inspiring to know there's an opportunity potentially for you."

Still, Cowher made it clear he doesn't want the talks to conflict with the Steelers' schedule. The team's two most important pregame practices are Wednesday and Thursday, which is why all the interviews will be held after then.

Cowher has told both coaches to not answer any media questions about the interviews.

"I've talked to Russ and Ken and, like I said, it will be later in the week because we're in the process of game-planning for this game," Cowher said. "We will provide that opportunity for them but there will be no more discussions about that from here on out."