The Pittsburgh Steelers’ search for a new offensive coordinator will continue, as two potential candidates-Scott Tolzien and Chase Haslett-are officially off the board. Both coaches have opted to stay with the New Orleans Saints, withdrawing themselves from consideration for the Steelers’ vacancy.
Tolzien, who served as the Saints’ quarterbacks coach this past season under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, worked closely with young signal-callers Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough. His coaching résumé has been building steadily, with previous stops including a stint as quarterbacks coach in Dallas under Mike McCarthy. That connection runs deep-McCarthy coached Tolzien during his playing days in Green Bay, where Tolzien spent several seasons as a backup quarterback from 2013 to 2015.
Now 38, Tolzien has been steadily climbing the coaching ladder, and his ties to McCarthy have helped shape his trajectory. He’s also known to have built a strong rapport with Aaron Rodgers during their time together in Green Bay-an interesting footnote considering Rodgers’ uncertain future in the league.
Meanwhile, Chase Haslett, another rising name in coaching circles, will also remain in New Orleans. Haslett served as the Saints’ tight ends coach this past season after spending five years with the Dallas Cowboys, also under McCarthy. At just 33 years old, Haslett’s quick rise through the coaching ranks has caught the attention of teams across the league.
There’s a bit of a Pittsburgh connection here as well-Haslett played quarterback at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) after transferring from Illinois. And football is in his blood: he’s the son of longtime NFL coach Jim Haslett, who notably hired McCarthy as his offensive coordinator with the Saints back in 2000. That coaching lineage has clearly rubbed off, with Chase carving out his own path in the league.
For the Steelers, this means the search continues. With Tolzien and Haslett staying put in New Orleans, Pittsburgh will need to look elsewhere to fill a key role on Mike Tomlin’s staff as the team looks to reshape its offense heading into next season.