The Steelers are turning a new page on offense, and the latest addition to their coaching staff is a name that might not ring bells for casual fans-but could end up being quietly pivotal in shaping Pittsburgh’s offensive identity. Brian Angelichio, formerly the Vikings' passing game coordinator and tight ends coach, has officially been named the Steelers' new offensive coordinator.
Let’s get this out of the way: head coach Mike McCarthy will be calling the plays. But that doesn’t mean Angelichio will be a bystander.
His fingerprints will be all over the weekly prep and in-game operations. Think of him as the architect behind the scenes-designing, tweaking, and helping execute the plan that McCarthy will bring to life on Sundays.
Angelichio arrives in Pittsburgh after four seasons in Minnesota, working under Kevin O’Connell, the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year. That stint included both highs and lows, largely tied to the Vikings’ quarterback situation.
In 2024, with Sam Darnold providing stability under center, the Vikings ranked sixth in the league in passing yards per game and cracked the top 10 in EPA per pass. Fast forward to 2025, and the picture changed dramatically-Minnesota dropped to 29th in passing yards per game and tied for 28th in EPA per pass.
That’s not a small dip; that’s a nosedive, and it underscores how much the Vikings’ offensive success hinged on consistent quarterback play and protection up front.
So, what exactly is Pittsburgh getting in Angelichio?
For starters, he’s a coach who’s been part of an offense that loves to stretch the field. In Minnesota, the philosophy leaned heavily into vertical passing-taking shots downfield when the protection held up.
And when it worked, it worked. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison thrived in that system, consistently finding space deep and creating explosive plays.
But when the offensive line faltered or the quarterback play dipped, the system struggled to adapt. The short passing game was often left underutilized, and defenses that could take away the deep ball had success bottling up the Vikings' attack.
That’s where McCarthy’s influence in Pittsburgh becomes key. Angelichio won’t be the one calling plays, but he’ll be instrumental in building out the passing concepts and adjusting the weekly game plan. If McCarthy wants a more balanced approach-mixing in quick throws, timing routes, and underneath concepts-Angelichio’s role will be to help install and refine those elements.
Now, unlike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Angelichio doesn’t come to Pittsburgh with prior experience as an NFL offensive coordinator. That makes him a bit of a wildcard.
At 53, he's not the typical “next-gen” coach climbing the ranks with a flashy resume or viral playbook breakdowns. And during his time in Minnesota, he wasn’t exactly a household name-even among Vikings fans.
His work was mostly behind the curtain, and he didn’t generate much buzz as a potential OC candidate while on O’Connell’s staff. That’s not necessarily a knock on his ability-it’s more a reflection of how centralized the offensive control was under O’Connell.
Still, Angelichio’s experience working with tight ends and helping coordinate a passing attack that, at its peak, was among the league’s most dangerous, gives him a solid foundation to build from. And depending on how the Steelers want to shape their offensive personnel, there could be some interesting connections to keep an eye on.
One name worth watching is Jalen Nailor. The young wideout has been Minnesota’s WR3 for most of his time there and has shown flashes of being able to stretch the field and open up space for others underneath.
If Pittsburgh is looking to add depth to its receiving corps, Nailor could be a fit-especially with Angelichio familiar with his skill set. Injuries have been a concern for Nailor going back to his college days at Michigan State, and he did miss a chunk of the 2023 season with a hamstring issue.
But if he’s healthy, he’s the kind of player who could thrive in a system that values vertical threats and spacing.
At the end of the day, Angelichio’s hiring signals a continued evolution for the Steelers’ offense. He may not be the most high-profile addition, but his experience in a modern, aggressive passing system-and his ability to work closely with McCarthy-could quietly become one of the more important pieces of Pittsburgh’s 2026 puzzle.
The Steelers are betting that Angelichio’s time in the background has prepared him for a bigger role. Now, it’s time to see what he can do with the spotlight just a little bit brighter.