The New Orleans Saints are heading into 2026 with plans to retain their entire coaching staff from last season - but that continuity could be tested soon.
According to reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to request an interview with Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien for their offensive coordinator vacancy. The Steelers, now led by new head coach Mike McCarthy, are looking to build out their staff, and Tolzien is firmly on their radar - and for good reason.
Tolzien’s connection to McCarthy runs deep. As a player, he spent three seasons backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay during McCarthy’s tenure with the Packers. After hanging up his cleats, Tolzien transitioned into coaching and joined McCarthy’s staff in Dallas, where he spent five years climbing the ranks - first as a coaching assistant, then as quarterbacks coach.
When McCarthy was let go by the Cowboys following the 2024 season, Tolzien landed in New Orleans, joining Kellen Moore’s first-year staff. That move made sense - Moore and Tolzien both worked under McCarthy in Dallas, and Moore clearly valued the familiarity and experience Tolzien brought to the table.
In his first season with the Saints, Tolzien made an immediate impact. New Orleans leaned on a young quarterback room in 2025, and under Tolzien’s guidance, that group showed real promise. Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough combined for 3,970 passing yards and 18 touchdowns - solid production for a duo still finding their footing in the NFL.
Shough, in particular, turned heads. Despite starting just nine games, the rookie quarterback quickly emerged as a legitimate Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
He led all first-year QBs in completion percentage (67.6%) and passing yards per game (216.7), helping the Saints to five wins in his starts after a tough 1-7 opening to the season. That kind of turnaround speaks volumes about both the player and the coach behind the scenes.
Right now, Tolzien is in Mobile, Alabama, serving as the offensive coordinator at the Senior Bowl - part of a group of Saints assistants helping coach in the annual showcase. It’s another opportunity for him to prove his mettle in a leadership role, and it’s not going unnoticed.
If the Steelers do move forward with an interview, it would mark a potential step up for Tolzien - and a decision point for the Saints. While they’re currently set to bring everyone back for 2026, a rising coach like Tolzien could soon be on the move, especially with a familiar face like McCarthy calling.