The Pittsburgh Steelers are wasting no time shaping their coaching staff under new head coach Mike McCarthy, and one of the key pieces they’re eyeing could be a familiar face - both to McCarthy and to quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Per reports, the Steelers plan to interview New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien for their vacant offensive coordinator position. It’s a move that would reunite McCarthy with a former quarterback from his Green Bay days, and potentially bring some continuity to a Steelers offense that’s looking to reset and reload heading into 2026.
Tolzien’s connection to McCarthy runs deep. He spent three seasons as a backup quarterback in Green Bay from 2013 to 2015, learning the nuances of McCarthy’s system while sharing a quarterback room with Rodgers. After retiring from playing in 2019, Tolzien made a quick rise through the coaching ranks - starting as an analyst at Wisconsin before reuniting with McCarthy in Dallas in 2023.
By 2024, Tolzien had earned the title of quarterbacks coach for the Cowboys, working closely with the team’s signal-callers and gaining valuable experience in one of the league’s most scrutinized markets. When McCarthy was let go by Dallas, Tolzien landed in New Orleans, where he took on the challenge of developing rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in 2025.
And develop him he did. Shough showed real flashes in his first year under center, with Tolzien playing a key role in his growth.
That kind of success - especially with a young quarterback - doesn’t go unnoticed around the league. It’s part of what makes Tolzien such an intriguing candidate for Pittsburgh, a team looking to blend veteran leadership with fresh offensive ideas.
There’s also the Rodgers factor. While nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, having someone like Tolzien - who not only understands McCarthy’s system but also has a working relationship with Rodgers - could be a subtle but meaningful piece in convincing the veteran quarterback to stick around for another season. Familiarity matters, especially when you’re trying to maximize the final chapters of a Hall of Fame career.
For McCarthy, bringing in a coach like Tolzien would be about more than just comfort - it’s about building a staff that can execute his vision while connecting with players on a personal and strategic level. Tolzien has proven he can do both, and at just a few years into his coaching journey, he’s already shown the kind of upside teams covet in young offensive minds.
The Steelers’ offense has talent, but it needs direction. If Tolzien does land the job, he’ll have a chance to help mold that unit alongside McCarthy - and potentially with Rodgers still at the helm. It’s a move that would speak to both the past and the future of this franchise.