Steelers Anxiously Waiting On Former OC Candidate For Their Tight Ends Coach Opening

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Head Coach Mike McCarthy have worked over the past few weeks to fill out a brand new coaching staff. The Steelers have expanded their coaching staff to be larger than under now-former head coach Mike Tomlin's previous staffs. McCarthy has filled almost every position, including offensive and defensive coordinators, and positional coaches. The largest hole of the group that still looms is at tight end. McCarthy knows that he must make the right hire there to ensure the best usage and development of his star tight ends. 

The target the Steelers are most likely looking for to make the lateral move is tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Lunda Wells. According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, the Steelers are in "waiting mode." 

"They're waiting for someone to come free as tight ends coach. If they can't wait for a certain guy, they'll have to pivot. But they're waiting for a certain guy," said Kaboly. 

Based on Kaboly's comments, the Steelers are waiting for Wells to decide to make the lateral move. Wells had been in offensive coordinator talks throughout this offseason, but has not gotten that position anywhere. The Steelers and McCarthy are hoping that Wells decides that the move is what's best for him and makes the change. Wells has been a mainstay in Dallas coaching with the team since 2020. 

Wells has coached many star tight ends, including the likes of Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson. Wells brings a level of expertise to the locker room that the Steelers need. They're hoping that a quality coach at the position will continue the development of their young star tight ends and get them more involved in the game. 

Steelers Tight Ends Would Reap The Benefits Of Wells Immediately

The Steelers have had a solid tight end room over the past few seasons. Their star tight end, Pat Freiermuth, has seen a decline in production over the past two seasons. Freiermuth inked a four-year, $48.4 million contract extension with the Steelers in September 2024. The Penn State product has been productive in the Steelers' offense in years past, notching 600 or more receiving yards in two of his five NFL seasons. However, fans expect more from the tight end as he has shown time and time again that he is a reliable, skilled receiver. Wells is known for developing young tight ends, as he has helped Ferguson reach Pro Bowl status. 

Under Wells' coaching, Freiermuth will look to take the next step that earned him his contract extension in 2024. He is a capable red zone threat and is a force over the middle. Freiermuth has shown that he is a reliable target in late-game scenarios like the two-minute drill. He is a safety net for any quarterback the Steelers have put back there and has shown resilience in the uncertainty of the Steelers' ever-changing QB room. 

The other tight end that would benefit from Wells' hiring is Darnell Washington. Washington broke out in the receiving game for the Steelers in 2025 and is looking to improve as his rookie deal comes to its final year. Washington, nicknamed "Mount Washington," stands at a whopping 6'7" and weighs over 300 pounds. He is a threat in the blocking game as he is the same size as the tackles he's lined up next to. In 2025, he became a more reliable receiver as his run-after-catch ability was on display. Wells will look to use these traits to his advantage in game planning for the tight ends. 

These two tight ends offer different archetypes that will most likely be strengthened even more, thanks to the experience that Wells would bring. This potential hiring would only make these great tight ends better and should be a no-brainer for the Steelers brass.

What do you think? Should the Steelers sign Lunda Wells? Let us know below.

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