The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to make their first big splash of the 2024 offseason, but you can bet that changes will be coming soon. The Chicago Bears just welcomed new offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, and Mike Tomlin isn't going to wait until the OC pool dries up before pouncing.
The interview process has reportedly already begun, and Pittsburgh could reach a decision soon. Meanwhile, other coaching decisions are being made internally. All of this will be resolved soon. Here's the latest Steelers news.
Steelers interview Zac Robinson for vacant OC position
Mike Tomlin already made it abundantly clear that Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan would not be returning as offensive coordinators in 2024. For this role, Tomlin insisted that the team would hire somebody outside of the organization.
Shortly after the Bears signed Shane Waldron to be their new OC, we learned that the Steelers were interviewing Zac Robinson for their vacant offensive coordinator job, Albert Breer reports. Robinson has been with the Rams since 2019. After being an assistant QB and WR coach early in his tenure with LA, he earned a role as the quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator the past two seasons.
Source: The Steelers and Raiders have put in slips to interview Rams pass-game coordinator Zac Robinson for their OC jobs. Robinson interviews with the Patriots tomorrow, previously interviewed with the Bears.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 22, 2024
Like Bengals head coach Zac Taylor once was, Zac Robinson is a direct understudy from the Sean McVay coaching tree. He was also a former NFL quarterback who was taken by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Steelers to interview Kliff Kingsbury for OC job
In addition to Zac Robinson, Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan spoke to NFL Insider Peter King who confirmed that Kliff Kingsbury will meet with the Steelers about their vacant offensive coordinator position.
Great NFL insider Peter King told @937thefan that former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury will talk to the Steelers about their vacant offensive coordinator position.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 23, 2024
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else report that.
Kingsbury has four years of head coaching experience with the Arizona Cardinals. His regime was responsible for drafting QB Kyler Murray. Kingsbury's best season came in 2021 when the Cardinals went 11-6.
Most recently, Kingsbury was the offensive coordinator at USC under head coach, Lincoln Riley. Kingsbury has worked with college quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield, and Caleb Williams.
Steelers to retain DC Teryl Austin
Defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, is coming back for another season, Gerry Dulac of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. There was speculation that the Pittsburgh Steelers could overhaul their defensive coordinator role this offseason as well, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
Since taking over for Keith Butler as the team's defensive coordinator in 2022, Pittsburgh's defense hasn't looked much different. Their strengths and weaknesses have remained consistent over the years. Though the Steelers ranked 21st in yards allowed in 2023, Austin's defense gave up just 19.7 points per game last year, per Team Rankings. Their ability to hold teams in the red zone and take the ball away were no doubt driving factors that led to the decision to keep Austin as the Steelers' DC in 2024.
Steelers go CB in recent NFL mock draft
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports recently comprised his latest 2024 NFL mock draft. With the 20th overall pick, Edwards had the Pittsburgh Steelers going with Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. Here's what he had to say about the selection.
"Joey Porter Jr. was one of the better rookie cornerbacks in the NFL this season. Pittsburgh pairs him with Kool-Aid McKinstry to give it the highest ceiling it has had at cornerback in years."Josh Edwards via CBS Sports
McKinstry was once thought of as one of the top players in the 2024 NFL Draft. McKinstry shares a similar gritty play style to Porter, which could be exactly what the Steelers are looking for at the position moving forward.