Steelers Are Beseeched to Take Into Account Promoting Former “Sure-Fire Head Coach Prospect”
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been exploring various options to address their quarterback situation through trades, free agency, and the upcoming NFL Draft, given the team’s quarterback performance in 2023. However, there have also been surprising rumors linking the Steelers to several assistant coaches, including Eric Bieniemy.
Alan Saunders from Steelers Now suggested on February 5 that Bieniemy could be an ideal candidate to fill the role of Pittsburgh’s new pass game coordinator. Despite a somewhat underwhelming season with the Washington Commanders, Bieniemy’s expertise in the passing game could be valuable in enhancing the Steelers’ offensive unit. Saunders argued that instead of pursuing coaches from the coaching trees of Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay, the Steelers could benefit from hiring a former assistant of a coach who has reached the Super Bowl multiple times, especially one with ties to Mike Tomlin.
This suggestion came shortly after reports by SI.com’s All Steelers’ Noah Strackbein indicated that the Steelers were interviewing candidates for an offensive assistant position, including Tom Arth, Charles London, and Zach Azzani. While Arth and London previously held the title of passing game coordinator with other teams, Azzani served as the New York Jets’ wide receivers coach in 2023.
Saunders argued that Bieniemy might be a superior choice compared to these three coaches. Although Bieniemy’s stint with the Commanders didn’t yield remarkable results, he experienced significant success with the Kansas City Chiefs, leading the team to top-six finishes in yards and points during his tenure as offensive coordinator. Despite the presence of Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid’s play-calling in Kansas City, Bieniemy’s influence on the Chiefs’ offense could be advantageous for the Steelers as they aim to improve their passing game in 2024.
In addition to Bieniemy, Saunders also proposed Hines Ward as a potential candidate for the Steelers’ vacant wide receiver coach position and Mike Vrabel for a senior defensive assistant role. Several other media outlets and reporters have also suggested various coaching candidates for the Steelers, indicating a broad spectrum of opinions on potential additions to the coaching staff.
The Steelers have traditionally had a smaller coaching staff compared to other NFL teams, but there’s speculation that they may expand their staff, given the recent coaching rumors. However, the debate continues regarding whether the Steelers should pursue high-profile additions to their coaching staff or opt for a different approach.
