Steelers news: Frisman Jackson out as WR coach, Le'Veon Bell eyes return, and more

The decision to make Arthur Smith the next offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh ruffled some tailfeathers among Steelers fans. This came shortly after Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan had arrived in Mobile, Alabama for Senior Bowl week. Suddenly, Smith is yesterday's news.

Following a football weekend that included both the Senior Bowl game and the Pro Bowl games, there has been more movement on the coaching front while a former star player attempts an NFL comeback. Here's the latest Steelers news.

Steelers moving on from WR coach Frisman Jackson

The Pittsburgh Steelers are making another significant change to their coaching staff. Following the hiring of Arthur Smith as the team's new offensive coordinator, Gerry Dulac of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirmed that the team is heading in a new direction when it comes to their wide receivers coach.

Dulac reported on Monday afternoon that the Steelers will not renew the contract of Frisman Jackson. With Smith now running the offense, he could be looking to bring in someone new to coach the wide receiver position in 2024.

Jackson was with the Steelers for two seasons as a wide receivers coach in 2022 and 2023. Before him, it was Ike Hilliard who manned this coaching position for two years. Jackson was a former NFL wide receiver who played four years with the Cleveland browns from 2002 to 2005.

Jackson's departure opens the door for a new wide receivers coach in Pittsburgh. Some fans and bloggers have been quick to point out former Steelers players Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El as two viable candidates, but Randle El is under contract with the Lions as their WR coach and Detroit has no obligation to let him leave if it's not for a promotion. There has look been no word yet on who the team could look at as their next WR coach.

Le'Veon Bell teases a return to the NFL, wants to re-join the Steelers

Le'Veon Bell is popping up in the news cycle again as he flirts with the idea of playing running back again in the NFL. This is hardly the first time that Bell has toyed with a potential comeback. This time, however, he insists that he would be better than ever and has made it known that he has interest in re-joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In a series of Snapchat videos, Bell expressed that -- if he does return to professional football -- he only wants to play for one team.

"And I'm gonna be honest with myself, I got to go out there and be like, I'm going to put my foot in the ground. Do I feel it? Am I hurting? Can I go out there and really play again? And bro, I'm telling you all right now when I go out there and train in March and if I hit April and I make this decision to come back to play in the NFL again, mark my words down -- I will be better than I ever was.

And I will only come back for that one team. You all know who it is. I don't have to say no team. You all know who it is."

- Le'Veon Bell, via Snapchat

Bell, who is about to turn 32 years old, is well past the prime of his career and he has not played in the NFL since the 2021 season. The former two-time First-Team All-Pro running back has quite a bit of tread already off the tires, as he has 1,595 NFL carries under his belt.

A comeback at this point seems like a long shot, but crazier things have happened. However, even if he decides to return to the NFL, it won't likely be with the Steelers. Bell had a falling out with Pittsburgh when he sat out the entire 2018 season. The Steelers also have one of the better running back duos in the NFL in Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris, and considering Bell doesn't play special teams, we don't see this happening.

Steelers go OL in Post-Senior Bowl mock draft

Immediately following Senior Bowl Week, Connor Livesay of The 33rd Team released his two-round NFL mock draft. After scouting some impressive offensive line play in Mobile, Livesay has the Steelers going with Jackson Powers-Johnson as the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Oregon center turned heads with a remarkable performance during Senior Bowl practices and is now projected to be a first-round pick this April.

With Pittsburgh's second-round pick, Livesay has them taking Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The Clemson linebacker is the son of former NFL All-Pro linebacker, Jeremiah Trotter -- who spent the majority of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers are known for valuing family bloodlines, so this selection would be right in their wheelhouse.