4 candidates for Steelers next offensive coordinator

Four potential options for Pittsburgh’s next offensive coordinator

The Steelers’ firing of Matt Canada has left the duo of Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan running the offense for the remainder of the season. With that said, the Steelers need to stop running their organization like the mafia and bring someone in from the outside to be the next offensive coordinator.

There are several names that you could point at as making sense around the league, but these four stick out the most.

Byron Leftwich, Former OC, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This is one that many fans and former players have been clamoring for, but also one that several Steelers’ media folks are pushing back on. Leftwich’s offense is a vertical-based scheme with power runs as the focal point. If the Steelers could live in 12 personnel, that would be great, but they don’t have the blocking ability, or Tom Brady under center to cover for any mistakes. The thought is nice, but the Steelers would need to make multiple changes, especially at quarterback, for the offense to have a shot at being successful.

Jerrod Johnson, QBs coach, Houston Texans

Johnson would be a good hire regardless, but especially if the Steelers were to pursue and sign Kirk Cousins this offseason. There is connective tissue there from their time together in Minnesota when Johnson was the assistant quarterbacks coach. Instituting a Kevin O’Connell style offense with Cousins at the helm would fit the Steelers’ personnel very well.

Shane Day, Senior offensive assistant, Houston Texans

Sticking in Houston, Shane Day was with the Chargers as their passing game coordinator in 2021-22, and was the 49ers’ quarterback coach from 2019 to 2020. Working with both Justin Herbert and Jimmy Garoppolo shows Day can have success with a wide range of quarterback play, and would know how to play to the strengths of whomever is under center in 2024.

David Girardi, QBs coach, Kansas City Chiefs

Girardi is originally from the Pittsburgh area (New Kensington to be exact), so there is local ties that could be alluring for him to take the offensive coordinator job should be he a candidate. He’s been with the Chiefs since 2018, so he’s been part of the offensive staff that has helped Patrick Mahomes become one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Regardless of who is under center, bringing in an Andy Reid disciple to run that style of offense would be very welcome.