Steelers Interviewing Unlikely Candidate For Offensive Coordinator Could Lead To Perfect Match

All of the 2024 offseason plans for the Pittsburgh Steelers are tentatively on hold until the franchise finds their next offensive coordinator. Matt Canada had very few good moments as the team's play-caller since he was promoted in 2021. A rare in-season firing saw Mike Sullivan and Eddie Faulkner work together in the role and their efforts helped Mason Rudolph lead the team to the postseason. The organization's decision-makers didn't buy into their overall philosophies, however, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin, President Art Rooney II and General Manager Omar Khan have begun an intense search to find out who the perfect candidate is.

It is probable that the ones making the decision are looking for an individual who has play-calling experience at the NFL level. After all, the days of Randy Fichtner and Canada weren't exactly pretty. The Steelers will still do their due diligence overall and they would be wise to take a quick, or long, look at a retired quarterback who has proven he knows how offenses at the professional level operate.

It was recently brought up that ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky was involved in the coaching cycle after the 2022 season. He may not have the most impressive numbers as a player, but sometimes the best coaches simply have a brain that works better with a headset on the sidelines.

The average fan may scoff at the idea of Orlovsky getting a chance to interview for the Steelers offensive coordinator position, but those who watch him talk about football consistently know that he is very well-versed when it comes to offensive philosophies. Orlovsky told The Pat McAfee Show that he wouldn't pass up an opportunity to interview for an offensive coordinator job.

It's clear that Orlovsky wouldn't be a top candidate off the bat to any franchise looking for a new play-caller. That doesn't mean he should be considered. He has talked for several years now about NFL offenses and what they need to do to be more successful on the field. It's easier said than done, but his passion for watching film is an obsession that any successful offensive coordinator has.

Orlovsky gave his input when Pittsburgh finally fired Canada and remarked that the team would have been throwing their season away if he was kept throughout the 2023 season. That is the first hint that he wasn't a fan of what the strategies were while Canada was calling the plays. He mentioned that there was several flaws in Canada's scheme. Steelers fans know that to be more than true. Orlovsky also gave specific ways to fix the offense back in November when Canada was let go.

"What’s needed for Steelers new OC? Get rid of the missed assignments between QB and WR, feature Pickens in the pass game more, tie things together formation + plays, build the pass game off inside zone runs and 1 back power runs & screen game improvement landmarks."

It's hard to argue that a combination of all those solutions didn't work under the Rudolph-led offense. The Steelers aren't known for making moves that are against the status quo. Bringing in Orlovsky to hear about his aspirations for an offense certainly wouldn't hurt. The question becomes if Pittsburgh, as an organization, is advanced enough to think outside of the box.

Steelers' Offensive Coordinator Hire Will Determine Team's Future Success

Pittsburgh's defense may not be perfect all the time, but the unit allowed less than 20 points per game in 2023. A 10-7 record led to a playoff berth, but nothing more after a loss to the Buffalo Bills. It will be pivotal for the team to go after a bright offensive mind that has the capability to adapt in the modern NFL. Orlovsky is nowhere near the top of the Steelers' list, but he's likely to break into the NFL as a coach at some point, so, why not in Pittsburgh?

Do you think Orlovsky would make sense for the Steelers as an offensive coordinator? Let us know in the comments below!

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