The Chargers are continuing to build out their defensive coaching staff under Jim Harbaugh, and they're tapping into Pittsburgh’s pipeline to do it. Former Steelers outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin is heading west to join the Chargers as an assistant outside linebackers coach, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Martin had reportedly been in the mix for a spot with the Cowboys earlier this offseason, but it’s the Chargers who ultimately landed him. While the new role represents a step down in title - he was the lead OLB coach in Pittsburgh - the move also puts Martin in the orbit of one of the most intriguing coaching projects in the NFL right now. Harbaugh is assembling a staff that blends experience with upside, and Martin fits that mold.
Martin’s coaching roots run deep in Pittsburgh. He started with the Steelers back in 2016 as a scouting assistant and steadily worked his way up the ranks.
Over the years, he’s had a front-row seat to some of the league’s best pass-rushing talent. He coached T.J.
Watt during his Defensive Player of the Year campaign, helped develop Alex Highsmith into a disruptive edge presence, and got strong production from veterans like Bud Dupree and young players like Nick Herbig. That’s a résumé that carries weight in NFL circles, especially when it comes to developing outside linebackers in 3-4 schemes.
For the Chargers, the hire is part of a broader trend. Martin becomes the second coach this offseason with Steelers ties to join Harbaugh’s staff. Earlier this week, it was reported that former Pittsburgh linebacker Sean Spence is coming aboard as the Chargers’ new inside linebackers coach.
Bringing in coaches with a background in Pittsburgh’s defensive system makes a lot of sense for a team looking to reestablish a tough, physical identity on that side of the ball. The Steelers have long been known for their linebacker play, and Martin has been a big part of that tradition in recent years. Now, he’ll look to bring some of that edge to Los Angeles.
While Martin’s title may be “assistant,” don’t let that fool you - this is a coach with a proven track record of maximizing talent in the front seven. And as Harbaugh reshapes the Chargers’ culture, having guys like Martin in the room could be a key part of building something sustainable.