Strong Explanation Gives Clarity On Steelers' Surprising Coaching Change

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been going through some trials and tribulations over the last several seasons. The organization has remained mediocre throughout that time as the struggle to win in the playoffs has continued. The fan base has grown frustrated, and many have been demanding coaching changes for quite some time. Fans want to see someone other than Mike Tomlin at head coach, but that is unlikely to happen anytime soon as the coach is under contract through the 2027 season. 

The coaching change that the fans wanted to see did not happen during the 2025 offseason, but there were some changes on the staff in Pittsburgh. Aaron Curry left the organization to go join the New York Jets, and the organization parted ways with former Defensive Backs Coach Grady Brown. To fill his hole, the Steelers brought in Gerald Alexander, who was the assistant defensive backs coach for Pittsburgh back in 2022 and 2023. The coaching change was somewhat of a surprise, and insider Ray Fittipaldo was able to share what went into the decision during a recent appearance on 93.7 The Fan. 

"Joey Porter Jr. has not developed the way they hoped he thought he would as a number 32 overall pick in that draft," Fittipaldo said. "That's why Grady Brown is no longer here."

Pittsburgh drafted Joey Porter Jr. in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 32nd overall pick, and he was considered by many to be a first rounder. He has shown the potential of being a true, lockdown cornerback in the NFL, but he has had his struggles. He is oftentimes too physical with wide receivers, which has led to him getting a lot of flags thrown on him.

Apparently, Tomlin and the rest of the coaching staff did not feel like Porter has shown enough improvement over his two seasons with Pittsburgh, which is why the head coach wanted to go in a different direction. He brought in someone that Porter was still familiar with in Alexander, but for some reason, Tomlin has more confidence that Alexander can help Porter progress more than Brown.

Brown joined Pittsburgh ahead of the 2021 season, and he and Alexander were on the same coaching staff for two seasons. Now, Alexander has come back to take his job after spending one season with the Las Vegas Raiders. Brown has already been hired elsewhere, as he signed a deal with the New Orleans Saints to be the cornerbacks coach down in Louisiana. 

This is a good sign for fans, as it becomes clear that the organization is prioritizing the development of its younger players. Porter improving in 2025 is critical to the team's overall success, while seeing a jump from a player like Cory Trice Jr. would also be helpful to the secondary and the overall depth of the defense.

Steelers Could Also Be Looking To Get Minkah Fitzpatrick Back To His Old Self

One player on the defense that Pittsburgh would like to see step up is safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. He has still been good over the last two years, but he hasn't been making the same splash plays that the fan base is used to. He had his best season back in 2022 when Alexander was on the staff as Fitzpatrick hauled in six interceptions, so maybe the organization is trying to recapture some of that magic by making this hire. Things have been solid for Fitzpatrick, but they can definitely be better in 2025. The fans miss the old Fitzpatrick, and maybe he could come back this upcoming season.

Between the development of the younger players in the secondary and potentially getting Fitzpatrick back to playing like he used to, this move on the coaching staff seems to be one that could wind up being very beneficial. Hopefully everything works out, and the move pays immediate dividends.

What do you think about the motive behind the coaching change? Let us know in the comments below!

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