Steelers’ Danny Crossman Brings Proven Fix For Costly Kickoff Problem

The Pittsburgh Steelers did not overhaul their special teams operation only to improve the return game. New coordinator Danny Crossman also inherits a kickoff coverage unit that repeatedly gave away field position, and one statistical comparison suggests his previous work with the Miami Dolphins could provide the blueprint Pittsburgh needs.

Pittsburgh’s transition from Danny Smith to Crossman came as part of the larger staff change under Mike McCarthy. Smith remained one of the most recognizable assistants in Pittsburgh, but the new regime was always going to evaluate results rather than familiarity. Crossman now has the responsibility of rebuilding a unit that struggled in areas much less visible than field goals and punt returns.

Kickoff coverage is easy to ignore until it changes a game. A poor rep can erase a strong scoring drive, put the defense on a short field and force the entire game plan to operate under more pressure. Even when the coverage team avoids allowing a touchdown, several extra yards can matter when they are handed away repeatedly over a full season.

Chris Carter focused on that problem during a recent episode. Carter compared Pittsburgh’s kickoff coverage with Miami’s over a three-year period and found a massive separation. By his measure, the Dolphins ranked seventh while the Steelers ranked 31st.

“The Dolphins during that time only allowed 5.85 yards per kickoff. That was good for seventh best… Danny Crossman, maybe he can bring that element to the Steelers team and maybe help them a little bit with field position,” Carter said.

The comparison does not guarantee Crossman will immediately produce the same results in Pittsburgh. Personnel changes from team to team, and kickoff rules have continued to reshape how coverage units are built. It does show that Crossman has coached a group capable of limiting damage in the area Pittsburgh needs to repair.

Crossman brings extensive experience to the assignment. He has coordinated special teams for multiple NFL organizations and spent six seasons in Miami before joining McCarthy’s first Steelers staff. His background should give Pittsburgh a different voice and a detailed understanding of how coverage responsibilities fit within the league’s evolving kickoff structure.

A new coordinator also means every special teams role can be reconsidered. Veterans who were trusted under Smith will have to show they fit Crossman’s approach, while younger players can earn opportunities without waiting for an established hierarchy to clear. Pittsburgh’s recent special teams change affects much more than who fields punts.

The coverage unit will be built around players who may receive limited snaps on offense or defense. Those jobs require speed, discipline and the willingness to run into contact without losing lane integrity. One player chasing the returner too aggressively can open a crease for everyone else, while one missed tackle can turn an ordinary return into a field-position swing.

Pittsburgh has several players whose roster cases could be strengthened through that phase. Ben Skowronek has already shown he can handle demanding special teams work. Carson Bruener entered the league with coverage ability as one of his clearest paths to a job. Other young defensive backs, linebackers and receivers will need to prove they can execute Crossman’s rules before they receive a helmet on game day.

The arrival of Kaden Wetjen has created excitement about Pittsburgh’s own return potential. The Steelers selected him in the fourth round after he established himself as one of college football’s most productive return specialists. His ability to flip the field will matter, but Crossman’s larger challenge is making sure the opponent does not answer with the same advantage.

Return and coverage work should complement each other. A productive Wetjen return could give the offense a short field. A disciplined coverage rep after a score could force the opponent to begin deep in its own territory. Pittsburgh has too often needed its offense or defense to overcome field position instead of receiving help from the third phase.

McCarthy’s offense is being built around veteran quarterback play and an expectation of immediate improvement. The defense still carries expensive, established talent. Special teams cannot become the quiet weakness that makes both units work harder. Crossman was hired to create an operation that supports the rest of the roster instead of placing another burden on it.

Steelers Need Crossman To Win The Hidden-Yardage Battle

The most important change may not appear in a highlight. Pittsburgh does not need a kickoff return touchdown every week or a blocked kick in every major game. It needs consistent field position, clean tackling and fewer coverage failures that give opponents easy yards.

Crossman’s Miami comparison offers a reason for optimism, but training camp will determine whether the personnel can carry his methods. Coverage units are often shaped by the bottom third of the roster, which means the evaluation must extend beyond offensive and defensive depth charts. A player who looks like a reserve at his listed position can become essential if he consistently wins special teams reps.

The Steelers should also benefit from having a coordinator who can build the unit without being tied to previous roles. Crossman can decide which body types and skill sets fit the new kickoff environment, then use preseason games to test those choices under real speed.

Carter’s numbers place the opportunity in clear terms. Pittsburgh ranked near the bottom while Crossman’s Miami unit performed near the top in the same area. Closing even part of that gap could help the Steelers protect the defense, support the offense and avoid giving away yards that rarely receive enough attention.

Crossman will be judged on the full special teams operation, but kickoff coverage gives him an immediate place to make his mark. The Steelers do not need a dramatic reinvention. They need a proven coach to turn repeated field-position losses into routine, disciplined wins.

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