Steelers Have Vision for New OC
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are in search of a new offensive coordinator, and the hope outside the organization appears to be that they want something new. New ideas, new schemes, a new approach. But inside, those in the hiring process are looking for someone who can take their offense and improve it - not necessarily change it.
Speaking with local media, Steelers President Art Rooney II confirmed a few things about the team's offensive coordinator search. The first was that head coach Mike Tomlin would make the call when it came to the hire.
"Head coaches hire their coordinators, and I think it'd be a mistake for me to try and screw up the lines of authority in terms of how things are supposed to work," Rooney said.
The second is that they are looking for someone who can take their vision and roster and run with it. With players like Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, George Pickens and some key offensive line pieces already in place, the team wants a new play-caller who has the same vision they do, but who can formulate a plan that wins.
"I think we have an idea of what we want the Steeler offense to look like. And a certain roster mix that, you can't completely change your roster overnight, so you have to have a coordinator that feels they can work with this roster and be successful with it," Rooney said. "Somebody that believes in that and comes in and work with this roster. Do what's kind of already built here in terms of the roster and some of the skillsets that we have. I think that's what we're looking for."
Tomlin said in his final press conference that he wants an offensive coordinator who has experience as a play-caller and who's good with developing quarterbacks.
Rooney feels the same way.
"We want somebody who has some experience and somebody who has a track record that we can look at and feel comfortable with," Rooney said. "Those are things that Mike is looking for."
So far, the team has interviewed former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, former Carolina Panthers OC Thomas Brown and current Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson.
It's unknown who, or if any more candidates, will be interviewed at this time. If there are more, though, it appears they will be considered for their ability to work with what the Steelers already have.
Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Steelers Assessing Upgrades to Acrisure Stadium
Steelers About to Settle at QB AND OC?
Steelers OC Search Becomes Much More Difficult
