Are the Steelers changing their offensive coordinator strategy? Who could they be aiming for?

For the time being, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will stay in his position; an extension to his contract is anticipated prior to the start of the next campaign. However, Pittsburgh is about to undergo upheaval.

Tomlin stated he is still “in the early stages” of his hunt for a new offensive coordinator during his season-ending news conference on Thursday. Eddie Faulkner, the temporary offensive coordinator, and Mike Sullivan, the quarterbacks coach turned play caller, will not be on that list of potential candidates.

In terms of what they accomplished for us in the closing moments, Tomlin expressed gratitude for their efforts. “But I’m considering candidates from outside.”

In contrast to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ promotion of Matt Canada, Tomlin stated he will seek a candidate who has experience as an NFL coordinator. The coach added that general manager Omar Khan, owner and club president Art Rooney II, and he will choose the new coordinator.

Tomlin’s search criteria mark a substantial divergence from the team’s customary practices. Since 2001, Pittsburgh has had six offensive coordinators. After serving as assistant coaches, Mike Mularkey, Ken Whisenhunt, Bruce Arians, Randy Fichtner, and Canada were the five that received internal promotions. Of those, only one (Arians) had worked as an NFL coordinator before. Todd Haley was the sole outside hiring, and he had a special relationship with the team because his father worked in the Steelers front office for twenty years.

Hiring a coordinator is a multiyear choice with enduring consequences, as the Steelers learned the hard way. Over the previous three seasons, Pittsburgh had the fifth-worst scoring offence (18.1 points per game) in the NFL, wasting a significant portion of T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick’s primes. In Year 2, Canada was likewise unable to advance Mason Rudolph or assist Kenny Pickett in moving forward.

Tomlin stated, “I want us to be dynamic and adaptable.” We must, of course, score more points. My goal is to be able to deceive defences. I want to make the most of every talent that we possess. Based on my observations thus far, I’m enthusiastic about this process and the skill pool available.

“I’m really open to kind of learning through this process and then seeing what people have to say about their vision. Certainly, I have a vision of what it looks like. I’m certainly open to learning through this process.”

Tomlin also said he believes next year’s starting quarterback is currently on the roster. He acknowledged it will be a “huge” year for 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett and that there will be some competition. The organization would also like to retain pending free agent Mason Rudolph.

“This game is quarterback-driven,” Tomlin said. “Offenses are quarterback-driven. So their expertise in that area is a significant component of the search from my perspective.”

As the Steelers begin plotting their coordinator search with a broader scope than usual, let’s take a look at some possible candidates.

Kliff Kingsbury, USC senior offensive analyst

One could argue that Kingsbury is a quarterback whisperer. In his four years as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, he assisted Kyler Murray in winning two Pro Bowls and Offensive Rookie of the Year. Formerly, he was Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Patrick Mahomes, and he assisted Johnny Manziel in his 2012 Heisman Trophy victory while coaching Texas A&M. This cycle, he will be in high demand. He has a meeting arranged with the Chicago Bears, who may chase Caleb Williams, the quarterback he helped develop at USC.

The Steelers implemented several concepts from Sean McVay’s and Kyle Shanahan’s systems as the season unfolded. The 36-year-old Kubiak has obvious experience in that regard. He helped devise an offensive game plan that gave Brock Purdy plenty of easy reads and chain-moving completions. He also has experience calling plays as the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2021.

Eric Bieniemy, Commanders offensive coordinator

After he was passed up for head-coaching opportunities, Bieniemy went to Washington this year to prove he could succeed without Andy Reid and Mahomes. Now that Ron Rivera has been fired, Bieniemy could also be on the open market. One thing to consider is the Steelers planned to be a run-heavy offense this year. The Washington Commanders passed more than any other team in the league with an average of 37 attempts per game.

After the football world had given up on Geno Smith, the 44-year-old Waldron helped resuscitate the QB’s career, helping propel him to the 2022 Comeback Player of the Year award. The appeal here would be that, perhaps, he could do the same with Pickett.

Zac Robinson, Rams quarterbacks coach

The 37-year-old was promoted to quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator ahead of the 2022 season. He’s considered an up-and-coming coach, in a similar mold to Tomlin when the Steelers hired him to be their head coach. He’s another candidate who knows how to run the McVay offense.

Thomas Brown, Panthers offensive coordinator

Brown, who is also 37, is another McVay disciple. He interviewed for the Tennessee Titans’ open head-coaching job Thursday, his third straight season garnering a head-coach interview. However, the Carolina Panthers were tied with the New England Patriots for the fewest points scored this season, so there’s reason for skepticism here.

Mike LaFleur, Rams offensive coordinator

The younger brother of Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur is another Shanahan/McVay disciple. He spent this season with McVay, but the 36-year-old could be interested in calling the plays himself, as he did with the New York Jets for two seasons (2021-22).

Kellen Moore, Chargers offensive coordinator

A former quarterback himself at Boise State, Moore has interviewed for head-coach openings in four consecutive offseasons, including with four different teams in 2022. His only head-coach interview this cycle was for the Los Angeles Chargers position. He helped lead the Dallas Cowboys as offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022. His lone season with the Chargers was more disappointing than expected.

Byron Leftwich, ex-Bucs offensive coordinator

Leftwich is one person with ties to Pittsburgh worth monitoring. The former Steelers backup QB enjoyed success at Tampa Bay. However, how much was that because of his ability as a coordinator, and how much was it Tom Brady behind center and then-head coach Bruce Arians designing the offense?

Frank Reich, ex-Panthers/Colts head coach

Reich did great work in Indianapolis, as he adjusted his philosophy to meet the needs of the quarterback to get the most out of Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz. However, he was fired after 11 games in Carolina as his offense struggled considerably, and at 62 years old, he’s not in the young or innovative category.

Josh McDaniels, ex-Raiders head coach

Though he’s failed twice as a head coach, McDaniels has a history of success calling plays. He’ll have options this offseason and can coordinate an offense, even if he’s not accomplished at the managerial aspects that come with sitting in the big chair.

Greg Roman, ex-Ravens offensive coordinator

Tomlin said he believes next year’s starting quarterback is already on the roster. But if the Steelers pivot and go for a more mobile quarterback — like, say, Justin Fields via trade — Roman could be the right man to install a run-heavy offense that unlocks the QB’s legs in a similar way to what he did with Lamar Jackson.

Ken Dorsey, ex-Bills offensive coordinator

Dorsey played the position, winning the national championship with the Miami Hurricanes in 2001 and spending six seasons on NFL rosters. Promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator to replace Brian Daboll in 2022, Dorsey was fired 10 games into 2023 after a rash of Buffalo turnovers. But the Bills offense ranked third in the NFL in points and fourth in yards during his tenure as offensive coordinator.

Other takeaways from Tomlin

As we wait for more news on the offensive coordinator front, here are some more odds and ends from Tomlin’s end-of-season review:

Defensive coaching changes

Though changes to the offensive side of the ball are inevitable — a new coordinator will likely bring in some of his own guys — there could be additional shakeups. Asked about his defense staff, Tomlin didn’t shut down the idea of changes.

“I’m not going to speculate about staffing at this junction,” he said. “I just acknowledge that things change this time of year. It’s just a component of our business at this level. I’m sensitive and respective to it.”

The Steelers do not have a very robust staff compared to other teams. Tomlin sounded open to adding voices.

“I’m looking at all components of staffing as a part of the annual end-of-season review,” Tomlin said. “Additions in terms of expertise is certainly a component of that.”

Fifth-year option on Najee Harris likely

The Steelers need to decide by May whether to pick up Harris’ fifth-year option. Retaining Harris for the 2025 season would come with a $6.7 million price tag (fully guaranteed), according to Over the Cap. Asked about the decision, Tomlin sounded like he’s in favor of the move, pointing out that Harris has racked up 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, becoming the first NFL back since Washington’s Alfred Morris (2012-2014) to accomplish that feat.

“He’s been what we needed him to be,” Tomlin said. “I just think that speaks to his consistency (and) availability. He’s been really solid.”

T.J. Watt recovering, no major surgeries expected

Tomlin said Watt’s rehabilitation from an MCL sprain is going well. Had the Steelers advanced to the divisional playoffs, “He probably would have been available.”

The coach does not anticipate any players will need major surgeries but said a few could have “some cleanup, procedural things.”

Punter moves?

Curiously, the Steelers signed punter Brad Wing to their practice squad ahead of their playoff letdown. It seems they could be open to moving on from Pressley Harvin III.

“I’ll acknowledge that Pressley was not consistent enough, particularly down the stretch,” Tomlin said.