The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big bet on an unproven coach in the 2023 offseason by bringing in Seattle Seahawks 2009 first-round selection, Aaron Curry, to run their revamped inside linebacker unit. The Steelers moved on from Devin Bush Jr., Robert Spillane and Myles Jack after 2022, and in the offseason, brought in Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander to change the make-up of the group. Despite constantly changing personnel due to injuries this season, with guys being brought in off the street, back from retirement, or other teams' practice squads, the work Curry has done in 2023 is being noticed.
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Steelers inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry (right) works with defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi during the team's 2023 mini-camp at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Popular radio host Donny Football sang the praises for Curry during his show on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday afternoon. The 27-year-old, who is in his first job as a positional coach the NFL, has a unique perspective when it comes to coaching due to his background as a player. He's the only coach on the team's staff who is really pulling his weight in 2023, according to the radio host and producer.
"That's the only guy on the entire staff that is living up to his end of the bargain," he said. "He has done at least to me, a pretty outstanding job with mostly mid-level players and he's dealt with a lot of injuries."
In Weeks 9 and 10, the Steelers lost two starters in Holcomb and Alexander to injuries. Roberts has dealt with his share of ailments despite not missing any games, but still leads the team in tackles. Blake Martinez was brought in off the Carolina Panthers practice squad in late November and was thrust into starting duty for the team against the New England Patriots in Week 14. Mykal Walker finished third on the Atlanta Falcons in tackles in 2022 and was stashed on the Pittsburgh practice squad until Week 10 and has now made three starts.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers inside linebacker Blake Martinez meets with the media for the first time in Pittsburgh.
Through all of the turnover, Curry has managed to help the unit produce, especially in one area that the 2022 group struggled in: splash plays. In 2022, Spillane had the only sack from an inside linebacker. The unit didn't force a fumble or have any interceptions. Roberts alone has two and a half sacks in 2023. Alexander had a forced fumble and an interception before he was sidelined. Holcomb had a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Walker came in and already added an interception to his resume. The splash that wasn't there from this position in 2022, has already been a huge factor in Pittsburgh with the misfit toys group it is running on game days in 2023.
Steelers' Curry The Only Coach Deserving Of Possible Promotion
The Steelers already made one coaching change this season with the unprecedented firing of Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. Eddie Faulkner has taken on his day-to-day role of organizing the offense while quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan is calling the plays on game days. Despite a very solid opening game for the duo against the Cincinnati Bengals, subsequent games against the Cardinals and Patriots, albeit with Mitch Trubisky instead of Kenny Pickett for the majority of them, haven't inspired the same confidence.
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Steelers quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan instructs quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
While both could be back on staff next year in their old roles as quarterbacks and running back coach, respectively, the consensus seems to be that Pittsburgh will bring in a face from outside the organization to replace Canada. They could still show more in the final weeks of the 2023 season to change that view, but have to find ways to maximize all the Steelers' talents on offense like Curry has done with the inside linebackers.
"He has really been worth adding to the staff and taking that chance," Donny Football said. "That is something that we can give the organization credit for. I wouldn't mind if they promoted him to defensive coordinator if things stayed the same at his position. If anybody in house gets a promotion, it should be this guy."
Current Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin's name came up in rumors for a potential college coaching job. If there's any truth to those and Austin desires to coach in the college ranks, maybe the Steelers have his heir in waiting. If they decide to fire Austin at the end of this season, then the same opportunity presents itself. Whatever the organization does, they need to realize they have a great young coach on staff and better give him the respect he deserves before someone else does.
What have you thought of the job Curry has done with the inside linebackers? Comment below!
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