Mike Tomlin gave us a clue to what he is looking for in the next Steelers offensive coordinator. At his end of season press conference he was asked if he would be looking for someone with experience to fill that position. Tomlin answered with a firm “yes”. With that in mind, here is our new version of ten candidates who have some prior experience as an offensive coordinator in the NFL:
1. Thomas Brown:
Thomas Brown was very hot name for an offensive coordinator position last offseason. He ended up landing a job with the Carolina Panthers. That’s a decision he probably regrets given how the Frank Reich era went. The Panthers offensive coaching staff was overloaded, and convoluted to say the least. Reich called the plays, then he didn’t, then decided he wanted to again until he was fired. To make matters worse, the staff had at east three other OC worthy names on it like Duce Staley. Parks Frazier, and Jim Caldwell.
As you can see the Carolina situation was an absolute mess. This should not downgrade Thomas Brown as a possible coordinator going forward. This is a former McVay disciple who is very well respected in NFL circles. One NFL exec even called him the “next Mike Tomlin”. https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/09/29/future-nfl-head-coach-candidates-daily-cover
Thomas Brown will end up an offensive coordinator again in 2024, and Pittsburgh is as good a guess as any.
2. Alex Van Pelt:
Can’t do an article regarding the Steelers without at least one Pitt connection given this team’s apparent fondness with that program. Van Pelt played quarterback at Pitt, and was even drafted by the Steelers in 1993.
Aside from that, Van Pelt has extensive coaching experience including two stints as offensive coordinator. He was just part of Cleveland’s strange purge of offensive coaches a few days ago. The work he did keeping the Browns offense rolling with all the injuries at the quarterback was very impressive none the less. He should draw interest from the Steelers in this process.
3. Marcus Brady:
Marcus Brady is a holdover from our original list, and with good reason. Ten names to keep an eye on for the Steelers OC in 2024
Brady was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts under Frank Reich before Reich was let go midway through the season. He joined the Philadelphia Eagles staff in 2022 as an offensive consultant, a season the ended in a Super Bowl appearance. Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl would be very familiar with Brady having been in Philadelphia at the time of his hiring. If connecting dots for the next Steelers offensive coordinator is important, Brady certainly fits that bill.
4. Shane Waldron:
Shane Waldron is the hot name for almost every OC opening this time around. The Seahawks offense was quite impressive as the Steelers saw first hand. He is another Sean McVay disciple who also worked under Bill Belichick. He may be hired by the time the Steelers begin thier interview process, but he’s a name that can not be ignored until then.
5. Arthur Smith:
There are a few things that would make former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith attractive to the Steelers. First off, his power run offense he led as offensive coordinator in Tennessee seems like a dream scenario for what Mike Tomlin wants here in Pittsburgh. Then there’s the fact he was originally hired by Mike Munchack in Tennessee, then retained by Ken Whisenhunt. Smith was then promoted to tight ends caoch by yet another former Steelers Mike Mularkey. Given all these connections to former Steelers players and coaches, there should be plenty of familiarity with Arthur Smith.
6. Eric Bieniemy:
We all know the story of Eric Bienemy. The long time OC of the Kansas City Chiefs has struggled to get a head coaching job. So much so, he tried to get out from underneath the shadow of Andy Reid by taking the same job with the Washington Commanders. Unfortunately for him, the Commanders were a mess in 2023 leading to the firing of Ron Rivera. It would be tough to judge Bieniemy’s performance with the offensive line, and quarterback issues in Washington. He should resurface as an OC somewhere in 2024, and the Steelers offensive coordinator position would certainly be attractive to him.
7. Anthony Lynn:
If it’s experience Mike Tomlin is looking for, it would be tough to find someone with more than Anthony Lynn. Lynn has pretty much done it all, from position coach, to offensive coordinator, to head coach. He currently is on the Kyle Shanahn staff as their assistant head coach/running backs coach. That little added extra of spending a year with Kyle Shanahan makes him attractive to us, and it surely doesn’t hurt in the eyes of the Steelers either.
8. Klint Kubiak:
As the former Vikings offensive coordinator, and current pass game coordinator for the 49ers, Klint Kubiak’s name is red hot in this year’s coaching cycle. He is also the son of former Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak. How much of this meaning anything to Mike Tomlin is the question. Our gut feeling is that Tomlin isn’t overly interested in the McVay/Shanahan style of offense, but hopefully that’s not the case.
9. Darrell Bevell:
Another extremely experienced candidate here with Darrell Bevell. He is a four time NFL offensive coordinator (Jaguars, Vikings, Seahawks, Lions). Bevell even had a stint as an interim head coach with the Lions in 2020. He is currently the passing game coordinator/QB coach for the Miami Dolphins. Little known fact, he and Mike Tomlin were on the same coaching staff in Minnesota in 2006. This is a guy who checks a lot of boxes for the Steelers OC position.
10. Jay Gruden:
Wanted to throw a wild card in here for the Steelers offensive coordinator spot. Jay Gruden has plenty of experience having been an offensive coordinator, and a head coach in the NFL. He is currently an offensive consultant for Sean McVay in Los Angeles. He was on the same Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff with Tomlin from 2002-2005. Gruden has a good blend of old school football, with a sprinkling of the McVay system under his belt.