The Pittsburgh Steelers are still working things out as Mike McCarthy puts together his new coaching staff. Some roles have already been filled, but the veteran head coach is still looking for an offensive coordinator. He has already announced that he will be calling plays during games, so this hire isn't as important as the defensive coordinator hire of Patrick Graham, but it will still make an impact.
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Former Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy stands on the sideline with his headset on as his old team participates in a professional football game.
McCarthy is interviewing candidates for the offensive coordinator job, and it was just reported by Jeremy Fowler that the head coach is interested in speaking to his former quarterback from the Green Bay Packers, Scott Tolzien.
The Steelers have notified the Saints that they plan to interview assistant Scott Tolzien for offensive coordinator, per sources.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 29, 2026
Tolzien was a Mike McCarthy quarterback in Green Bay and assistant in Dallas. He coached Saints quarterbacks Tyler Shough this year. pic.twitter.com/Yq46lNquAW
Tolzien was a backup to Aaron Rodgers for three seasons in Green Bay from 2013 through 2015, and he has kept a good relationship with McCarthy. He got into coaching after he retired from playing, and he was on McCarthy's staff with the Dallas Cowboys for five season as an assistant and as a quarterback coach.
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Jul 30, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien on the field as the team practices during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center.
Tolzien now has seven years of coaching experience under his belt, and he spent the 2025 season as the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints. Pittsburgh wants to be able to develop a quarterback, and Tolzien played a role in that during the 2025 season as Tyler Shough looked impressive at certain points of the year for the Saints.
It is also important to note that Tolzien has almost been coaching for longer than seven years. Career backup quarterbacks are a coach in a way. They have to prepare just as much as the starter, and they help the starter during games with what they are seeing on the field from the defense. It is a big reason why backup quarterback often turn out to be pretty decent coaches, and Tolzien could be another case of that.
The Steelers will interview other candidates for the offensive coordinator position, but Tolzien would be a hire that a lot of people could probably get behind. He has experience with McCarthy and he has experience coaching young and unproven quarterbacks. That should be a key for Pittsburgh as the organization tries to find some answers at that position.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks down at his play sheet while he watches practice in street clothes as the team works out during 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Hiring Scott Tolzien Could Factor In To Aaron Rodgers' Decision
Tolzien and Rodgers should know each other decently well after the two spent three seasons together in Green Bay. It is hard to guess whether or not Tolzien being the offensive coordinator is something that Rodgers would look at as a pro or a con, but either way it provides the veteran quarterback with some familiarity in addition to his former head coach. It would probably be weird getting coached up by his former backup quarterback, but it could be a good working relationship, especially since Tolzien won't be calling the plays.
Tolzien seems like a good hire when it comes to the quarterback position. The Steelers need to figure that out, and Tolzien might just be a step in the right direction.
What do you think of Tolzien potentially being the team's next offensive coordinator? Let us know in the comments below!
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