Steelers in awkward spot with Mike Sullivan

Just over a week into the NFL hiring cycle, the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a rather uncomfortable spot. Reports are the Steelers have hired former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as the team’s new offensive coordinator. This is a good thing.

But there are still more coaching decisions to be made and one was made more uncomfortable. Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan was in the running to be the new offensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders but Vegas went with Kliff Kingsbury instead.

Now the Steelers have a coaching predicament with Sullivan. Getting improved quarterback play is a focus and top priority. This means a new quarterbacks coach and maybe even a passing game coordinator. The hope was Sullivan would ride off into the sunset with a new team. Now it might mean the Steelers will have to let Sullivan go so they can hire his replacement.

Sullivan took over playcalling for the Steelers last season after the firing of Matt Canada. But head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear at the end of the season that neither Sullivan nor interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner were candidates to take over the job.