The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the market for a new offensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 season, and they have been connected to more than a few names. After the Matt Canada debacle, Head Coach Mike Tomlin can't make the same mistake again. While the interviews to fill the position in Pittsburgh have been ongoing, one name keeps finding its way into the conversation: Kliff Kingsbury.
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Pittsburgh Steelers former offensive coordinator Matt Canada showed in every way how he was the wrong fit for the Steelers
Steelers And Kingsbury Reports Are Contrasting
There isn't anything strange about rumors flying when an NFL team sets out to fill an important coaching position, and the Steelers' offensive coordinator search hasn't been any different. After an abysmal offensive performance throughout 2023, with a mild exception for the final three games, the Steelers need the right person for the job. Tomlin hasn't exactly been a beacon of wisdom when it comes to his selections for offensive coordinator, so something will need to be different this time.
Steelers OC Matt Canada Looked Disgusted With Kenny Pickett For Throwing A Game-Winning Touchdown https://t.co/ymUUKOVsuy pic.twitter.com/3fkxc3634B
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 9, 2023
Ever since Canada was fired following Pittsburgh's Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Kingsbury has found himself linked to the Steelers. On Tuesday, Peter King was on The Cook & Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan and connected Kingsbury to Pittsburgh for the offensive coordinator position. King even brought up the Steelers' desire to be a running team and how that would mesh well with what Kingsbury does best.
Then, on Thursday, Mark Madden had Gerry Dulac (of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) on The Mark Madden Show, and Dulac went in the opposite direction of King's report. According to Dulac, the Steelers know their candidate list, and it doesn't involve Kingsbury. While Dulac did admit there could be room for change in the future, as of Thursday, when he spoke on the matter, he didn't see Kingsbury as being a legitimate option in Pittsburgh's eyes.
To round out the mixture of perspectives on the matter, things got even murkier on Sunday when Mike Garafolo reported ahead of the AFC Championship game that Kingsbury did interviews with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles, who both passed on the coach for offensive coordinator. Next for Kingsbury, according to Garafolo, isn't the Steelers but rather a stop with the Las Vegas Raiders to see how he fits in. The conflicting reports and confusion will no doubt continue until Pittsburgh does come to a decision.
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Pittsburgh Steelers search for offensive coordinator is absolutely vital, but it doesn't look like Kliff Kingsbury will be a part of it
Steelers' Offensive Coordinator Spot Cannot Be A Flop
Kingsbury, for one reason or another, seems to be a polarizing figure when it comes to the Steelers. All three reports, either linking or distancing Kingsbury from Pittsburgh, came from views rather than the franchises themselves, making the situation all the more unsure.
The ongoing search in Pittsburgh is most likely far from done, with several names already interviewing with the team that have fans intrigued. On Sunday, former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith was with the Steelers regarding the position. Los Angeles Rams 2023 passing game coordinator Zac Robinson was on the team's radar but he was hired by the Falcons on Saturday, taking him out of the running. The Steelers also brought in Jerrod Johnson for an interview on Friday to see if the Houston Texans' quarterbacks coach could possibly be the answer.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was been a welcome surprise in 2023 as a productive compliment to Najee Harris
Pittsburgh has touted one of the NFL's most expensive defenses over the past few years, and they are determined to have something more than just a competent offense to complement the other side of the ball. Steelers' fans have been pretty embarrassed about the lack of scoring and professional strategy in the offense, and hopefully, the candidates being interviewed can regain some of that trust. It's been quite a while since the Steelers had an offense that made the fans feel completely confident in making good things happen.
The 2023 Steelers averaged a paltry 186.1 yards per game through the air, something that absolutely must improve. Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren put together an impressive end to the season to revitalize the ground game, but without a balanced offense, the 2024 Steelers won't do much better. Whoever becomes the official offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, there will be plenty of questions for them to answer right away. The first of which will be who best to put under center and whether that person is already on the roster.
With the chance to either set the franchise up for a successful future or handcuff them to another Canada-like multiyear sentence, this decision looms large in the early stages of Pittsburgh's offseason. Whatever happens, the Steelers will be aiming for more in 2024 than just an impressive set of preseason games.
Who should be the offensive coordinator for the Steelers in 2024? What offense are the 2024 Steelers built for?
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