Steelers Eyeing Brian Angelichio as Top Offensive Coordinator Candidate, Continue Interviews with NFL Assistants
As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue their search for a new offensive coordinator, one name is rising to the top of the board: Brian Angelichio. Currently the passing game coordinator and tight ends coach for the Minnesota Vikings, Angelichio is drawing strong interest from Pittsburgh’s front office-and for good reason.
According to sources, Angelichio is considered “elite” when it comes to tight end development and receiving production. That’s not just lip service.
His résumé backs it up. He’s worked with some of the league’s top quarterbacks and offensive minds, including Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy during his time in Green Bay from 2016 to 2018.
That stint helped sharpen his reputation as a technician in the passing game and a coach who knows how to get the most out of his tight ends.
Angelichio, 53, has been with the Vikings since 2022, where he’s helped shape Minnesota’s aerial attack while continuing his specialized work with tight ends. Before that, he spent two seasons in Carolina (2020-2021) and a year in Washington (2019), all in tight ends coaching roles. His NFL journey also includes stops in Tampa Bay (2012-2013) and Cleveland (2014-2015), making him one of the more experienced position coaches in the league when it comes to that role.
But his connection to Pittsburgh runs deeper than just NFL credentials. Angelichio coached at Pitt from 2006 to 2010 under Dave Wannstedt, first as an offensive assistant and then as the Panthers’ tight ends coach. That local familiarity, combined with his NFL pedigree, makes him a compelling option for a Steelers team looking to evolve offensively.
While Angelichio appears to be the frontrunner, the Steelers are casting a wide net. According to reports, they’ve informed the New Orleans Saints of their intent to interview assistant coach Scott Tolzien for the OC job. Tolzien, a former NFL quarterback, brings a different kind of résumé to the table.
After entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chargers in 2011, Tolzien spent time with the 49ers and Packers, learning under quarterbacks like Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers. His playing career spanned seven seasons, and his coaching path has followed a similar trajectory, staying close to the quarterbacks room and offensive strategy. That experience in quarterback development could be especially valuable for a Steelers team still shaping the future at that position.
Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells also interviewed for the job earlier this week. Wells has been with the Cowboys since 2020, initially under Mike McCarthy and then continuing his role under offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. He’s also drawn interest from other teams this cycle, including the Washington Commanders and New York Jets.
Wells’ coaching roots trace back to LSU, where he held multiple assistant roles from 2008 to 2011. He then made the jump to the NFL with the New York Giants, where he served in various offensive roles from 2012 to 2019, including a two-year stint as the tight ends coach. His experience across multiple offensive positions and systems gives him a well-rounded perspective that could appeal to Pittsburgh’s decision-makers.
One common thread among these candidates? A connection to Mike McCarthy. Whether it’s Angelichio, Tolzien, or Wells, each has spent time under McCarthy’s leadership, which suggests the Steelers may be looking for someone with a similar offensive philosophy-or at least someone who’s operated within that structure before.
McCarthy, for his part, has made it clear in Dallas that he prefers to call the plays himself. “I will call the plays on offense,” McCarthy said during his introductory press conference.
“So obviously will run the offense.” That mindset has shaped the way his assistants work, and any candidate coming out of his coaching tree likely brings a deep understanding of game-planning, in-game adjustments, and quarterback management.
As the Steelers continue their interviews, the focus remains on finding a coordinator who can modernize the offense while complementing the team’s existing talent. Whether that’s Angelichio with his tight end expertise, Tolzien with his quarterback insight, or Wells with his versatile coaching background, Pittsburgh is clearly doing its homework.
One thing’s for sure: the Steelers are being deliberate-and strategic-as they look for the right voice to lead their offense into the next era.