Pittsburgh just finished their search for their next offensive coordinator. It was somewhat refreshing to fans to see the different names that had been interviewed and all of them being outside options. They had some young and upcoming coaches and some former Head coaches interview or show interest in the position. In the end, Mike Tomlin decided to hire Arthur Smith for the opening.
Only three had been documented to have been interviewed by the Steelers. Those names include Arthur Smith (former Falcons Head Coach), Zac Robinson (just hired as the offensive coordinator of the Falcons), and Jerrod Johnson (current Texans Quarterbacks coach). It was also rumored that Kliff Kingsbury (former Cardinals Head coach and current USC coach) had shown interest in the position. It was a good mix of options, but the Steelers have decided on Smith.
Most expected the black and gold to wait a little longer and hold a couple of more interviews before making a decision. Some of the coaches who just lost their playoff games this past weekend could have given some different options to investigate further. Some others might not have been able to fit their schedule with Pittsburgh until these coming weeks. Some other coaches might have been preoccupied with different circumstances before the Steelers pulled the trigger on hiring Smith.
David Girardi would have made a lot of sense based off the Steelers trend
One name that had become more sensible after the Super Bowl wrapped up might have been David Girardi. He has made previous articles of mine in the Steeler's search for their next offensive coordinator. He is currently the quarterbacks coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. He works closely with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Both of those things should allow you to grow as a coach, and the Chiefs produce many offensive coordinators around the NFL.
The allure for Girardi of returning to Pittsburgh, his hometown, and trying to fix the Steelers putrid offense probably would have been there. The black and gold would have had to wait another couple of weeks as the Chiefs would participate in the Super Bowl. Pittsburgh wasn't willing to wait that long to find their replacement as their next offensive coordinator. Girardi is a name to monitor around the NFL, especially if Kansas City wins the Super Bowl again.
Mark Brunell is a name that should be brought up more for Offensive Coordinator
It was a hard way to end the season for the Detroit Lions as they blew a 17-point lead in the NFC Championship game. Their Cinderella story has come to a bitter end and they will be looking to find changes to improve their club. Some of those things will end with coaches finding upgrades at their current positions elsewhere across the NFL.
Mark Brunell may get a promotion to offensive coordinator elsewhere since Ben Johnson (their current coordinator) will stick around for another season. Brunell is someone that the Steelers should have asked to interview and see if the Lions grant that permission. He has been with the Lions since 2021 and has helped Jared Goff resurrect his career in Detroit. That is something that the Steelers might have been interested in.
One issue with Brunell is that he has little coaching experience outside his work with the Lions. He hasn't called plays for an offense, so that would be something that could be an issue. Mike Tomlin said he would like someone with previous coordinator experience, so it makes sense why Smith was the candidate that they went with. Brunell is a former NFL quarterback and that might be something Tomlin would have liked in that spot.
Someone that knows how it is to play in the NFL, could have been a benefit to someone like Kenny Pickett. Trying to find ways of getting the young quarterback on the right path to straightening out his rocky career. Brunell has not been brought up much in terms of potential offensive coordinator gigs, but he has helped the Lions turn their franchise around.
Klint Kubiak should had been interviewed before Arthur Smith was hired
It seems like one of the fan-favorites to be the Steeler's next offensive coordinator was none other than Klint Kubiak. He is currently with the San Francisco 49ers as their offensive passing game specialist. He has a lot of the qualities that Tomlin named during his season-ending press conference. It seems like Kubiak would have been a reasonable option when he is available.
It is unlikely that the 49ers would've allowed Kubiak to interview as they get ready for their Super Bowl matchup in less than two weeks. He has been a big part in helping that offense open the passing attack. He is still very young and has held the title of offensive coordinator twice during his career. It seems like it might be time for another chance.
He has NFL bloodlines, with his brother in NFL coaching and their father being Gary Kubiak. That should provide a great offensive mind and a potential quarterback coaching hire with Smith now as coordinator. His brother Klay Kubiak could be an option as the quarterback's coach if Mike Sullivan departs. The Steelers had plenty of quality options available, but they just had to wait a little longer, which they didn't want to do.
One would have to assume that Kubiak will be in high demand, as the 49ers offensive minds usually are. He has worked closely with Kyle Shanahan and that should help him grow his coaching mind and how to run an offense. His first couple of stints as coordinator have been about average, but with new knowledge from his new experiences, he should be able to take his play calling to the next level.
Tee Martin should've gotten an interview to be an offensive coordinator
Another name that would have made sense for an interview from the Steelers this week was Tee Martin. He is currently the Ravens quarterback's coach. He has worked closely with Lamar Jackson, and they had one of the best offenses in the NFL this season. It seems like Jackson is going to be named the MVP of the NFL for his efforts this past campaign.
One would have to imagine that Martin and other coaches on the Ravens staff will get plenty of attention for different promotions across the NFL. Martin helped Jackson get back on track and return to his MVP level. A quarterbacks coach cannot take a ton of that credit, but Martin has done a nice job since he joined the Ravens.
He has been with the Ravens since 2021 and has coached their receivers and more recently quarterbacks. He has no play-calling experience in the NFL, but he does have a wide-ranging resume calling plays in college and focusing on the passing element of the offense. It makes sense as Martin is a former quarterback who even had a playing career that went from 2000 to 2005.
Martin was not a great player, but he does have a connection to the Steelers as the team drafted him in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. Translating college success over to the pros is no easy task. Even though he doesn't have any NFL play-calling experience at least he has done it in the past. Tomlin might still have interest in Martin for a lesser role than offensive coordinator.
Eric Bieniemy would have made a ton of sense as the Steelers offensive coordinator
An obvious option that might have been a better option over Arthur Smith was Eric Bieniemy. He left the Chiefs recently to try and prove that all of his success wasn't solely from Patrick Mahomes. He went to Washington and was able to make a competent enough offense out of a messy roster. Bieniemy is someone who probably deserves a top job in the NFL but has not been able to find one since his rise in the coaching ranks.
Most of the reasons behind him not getting interviews right now is the stalemate that his current organization is in. They are currently without a Head Coach and Bieniemy is up for consideration. It sounds like they might go in another direction rather than hiring their current offensive coordinator. It sounds like Washington wants to go with a younger individual or someone with prior Head coaching experience like Dan Quinn.
If that becomes reality, it seems like Bieniemy will be looking for a new gig elsewhere as an offensive coordinator. Tomlin should be calling him on the regular to try and convince him to take over an opening on the Steelers staff. We know that he is not afraid to reach out to coaches that he respects to try and convince him to join the team. Pittsburgh could try and get Bieniemy in a quarterbacks coach and passing game specialist role.
If he can fix the putrid Steelers passing attack, then it seems like a Head coaching job would be a sure-fire bet for Bieniemy. It might take some convincing, and many other teams will want to try and bring him in as their next playcaller. It would be a huge swing for Tomlin and perhaps the ideal scenario for the black and gold to finally fix their offense right away.