How the Steelers’ OC search indicates that they are at last willing to adapt
The Steelers offense has been stuck in the past for a number of years, but they keep hiring internal candidates instead of making any effort to keep up with the times. Here’s why that will eventually stop in 2024.
Reporters were informed by head coach Mike Tomlin that Pittsburgh is considering hiring a different offensive coordinator. According to NFL reporter Albert Breer, this all started on Monday when the team asked for an interview with Rams pass-game coordinator Zac Robinson.
To really modernize their offense, the Steelers need a young offensive coordinator such as Robinson. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2019, the 37-year-old has been training under head coach Sean McVay.
The modern NFL has been defined by the offenses of McVay and Kyle Shanahan for many years. Robinson can contribute his knowledge to Pittsburgh’s young and talented roster if he is hired.
The Steelers offense has everything it needs to be among the best in the league, with the exception of the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position.
One of the best running back tandems in the NFL is formed by Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and the team has a ton of passing game upside with wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens as well as tight end Pat Freiermuth.
In 2023, the Rams’ offense ranked among the best in the league, averaging 359.3 total yards per game, ranking seventh overall. For the Steelers, who have been yearning for offensive success for some time, Robinson could translate that.
But there’s no assurance Pittsburgh will appoint Robinson as its next offensive coordinator. His name has become well-known among NFL teams looking for offensive coordinators.
Robinson is reportedly interested in playing for the Bears, Patriots, Raiders, and Saints, having already completed an interview with them.
Regardless of whether Robinson signs with the Steelers, Pittsburgh has demonstrated that it is willing to accept talent from some of the best coaching trees, indicating a growing awareness of their need for outside assistance.
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According to reports, Kliff Kingsbury will meet with the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are seemingly kicking things into high gear when it comes to their search for an offensive coordinator. Pittsburgh is set to interview Los Angeles Rams’ pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Zac Robinson, and a new potential candidate has emerged. Speaking on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, NBC’s Peter King says the Steelers are set to meet with former Arizona Cardinals head coach, Kliff Kingsbury. “Right now, [Kingsbury] has talked to the Bears and he’s gonna talk to the Steelers.
Kingsbury is currently the senior offensive analyst at USC. He met with the Chicago Bears, which made people connect the dots that the Bears may draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams and bring Kingsbury in to give Williams a familiar face to work with. Kingsbury was the head coach in Arizona from 2019-22, leading the Cardinals to one playoff appearance in 2021 where they lost in the wild card round to the Los Angeles Rams. Kingsbury notably coached Patrick Mahomes while the head coach at Texas Tech, and was Johnny Manziel’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas A&M.
Kingsbury’s offense could work for the Steelers. It’s a spread-style offense, but the Steelers could still utilize Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren effectively (see James Conner’s 2021 season). Kingsbury’s modified air-raid system also incorporates a lot of shallow crossers to give the quarterback options and checkdowns, but checkdowns that can still net a healthy chunk of yardage. That said, the Steelers would need to get deeper at receiver to consistently run a spread-style offense.
