When the Pittsburgh Steelers interview a coaching candidate, it usually tells you exactly what they believe is broken.
According to Jeremy Fowler, Pittsburgh plans to interview New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien for its open offensive coordinator position. That move makes one thing clear. The Steelers are no longer searching for play-calling creativity. They are searching for quarterback development.
That shift matters more than any scheme discussion.
Tolzien has quietly built a strong reputation around the league as a quarterback teacher. A former NFL quarterback himself, he was credited internally by the Saints for managing a competitive quarterback room in 2025 and preparing multiple starters throughout the season. His most notable success came with second-round pick Tyler Shough, who developed into an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist under Tolzien’s guidance.
That type of growth is exactly what Pittsburgh lacks.
Why Scott Tolzien makes perfect sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator role
This interview aligns directly with the Steelers’ recent hire of head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy’s career has been defined by quarterback development and offensive structure, and Tolzien fits seamlessly into that philosophy.
The two also share history. Tolzien played for McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers from 2013 to 2015, creating a foundation of trust that could help accelerate offensive installation and player development if he joins the staff.
With uncertainty surrounding Pittsburgh’s quarterback room, including the potential return of Aaron Rodgers and the long-term development of Will Howard, the Steelers appear focused on building an offense around teaching and growth rather than short-term fixes.
Tolzien’s coaching path has been deliberate. He began as an analyst at Wisconsin in 2019 before jumping to the NFL with McCarthy’s Cowboys staff, where he worked closely with Dak Prescott. He is currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Senior Bowl American Team, a role typically reserved for coaches viewed as future leaders.
New Orleans will not want to lose him. The progress made with Shough and the Saints quarterback room would be difficult to replace heading into 2026, making Pittsburgh’s pursuit far from guaranteed.
This interview has already generated buzz. On The Pat McAfee Show, Tone Digs suggested Tolzien could even be viewed as a future head coach if he were to spend several seasons developing under McCarthy.
That may be projecting, but it fits the Steelers’ historical approach. Pittsburgh prefers continuity. It prefers teachers. And it prefers building from within.
Whether Tolzien ultimately lands the job or not, the message behind the interview is clear.
The Steelers are done searching for surface level answers. They are targeting the root of the problem. Quarterback development.