The Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin are committed to change on the offensive side of the ball in 2024. They moved on from Matt Canada during the season in 2023, but the lingering effects on the offense caused the worst offensive finish ever for the franchise. The team fell to 28th overall in the NFL in points per game on offense. Kenny Pickett created serious doubt about his future in the NFL, and Mason Rudolph emerged from the scrap heap to become the best quarterback option in Pittsburgh.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks Mason Rudolph (2) and Kenny Pickett (8) practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.
Steelers Starting Offensive Coordinator Search With Big Time Target Zac Robinson
Tomlin laid out a specific set of criteria at his final press conference for what he was looking for in an offensive coordinator. He wants someone from outside the organization with offensive coordinator and play-calling experience at the NFL level. The Steelers have requested to interview the Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator, Zac Robinson, who does not possess either characteristic. Still, he does come from the Sean McVay coaching tree. It is a little bit of a contradiction, but it would theoretically represent change on the offensive side of the ball.
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Steelers offensive coordinator candidate, Zac Robinson.
On Monday, The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller hosts, Chris Mueller and Andrew Fillipponi, expressed support for interviewing Zac Robinson. It has been a foregone conclusion by most of the fan base that all of the 2023 offensive coaches will be seeking employment in 2024. Mueller questioned however, if the interim Offensive Coordinator, Eddie Faulkner, could be retained based on who the Steelers chose to interview first.
“I think it's not an accident they are going to look for pass game coordinators,” Mueller observed. “I feel like they think Eddie Faulkner can run the run side of things pretty well. I think they like Eddie Faulkner, you know, like how Munchak ran the running game. I think they like Faulkner for that job. He won’t be the offensive coordinator, obviously, but he will have a hand in putting that part of the game plan together.”
Faulkner has done an excellent job with Jaylen Warren. He championed the undrafted free agent during the draft process in 2022. The results apart from Warren have been mixed. Najee Harris is a first-round draft pick who was supposed to be a power back. His position coach failed to translate that to him for most of his first two seasons. Harris fell into some bad habits that Faulkner helped him correct, but it is still a work in progress. Fillipponi completely disagreed with Mueller’s assessment.
“I’d let Robinson or any offensive coordinator, for the most part, gut the entire offensive staff,” Fillipponi responded. “A lot of these guys have connections to [Matt Canada]. If I were making this change, I would want a complete fresh start and new beginnings. I don’t think any of their position coaches are good enough where I would want to save them.”
The idea of retaining any of the current offensive staff if they import anyone from the McVay or Kyle Shanahan coaching tree is worrisome. Robinson is only 37 years old and has no experience calling plays at the NFL level. This would be a substantial promotion for him, and if he is saddled with holdover assistants from one of the worst offensive coaching staffs in history, it could present a significant challenge to him. It could also provide an opportunity for Tomlin to meddle, which cannot happen in 2024.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin believes his 2024 quarterback is on the current roster.
The Steelers have to chart a new direction forward to compete in the 2024 NFL as it exists. Pittsburgh has been resistant to the changes that have completely altered the way the game is played, but they have happened all the same. Is there a possibility that smash-mouth football could still work in the NFL? Yes, but it starts with a competent passing game and a quarterback who forces the defense off balance by being unpredictable and, most importantly, effective.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should Steelers fans be wary of Tomlin trying to force the current assistants onto any offensive coordinator? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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