The Pittsburgh Steelers are making moves to reshape their coaching staff, and the latest addition is a notable one. Per reports, the team is set to hire Scott Tolzien as its next offensive coordinator-a decision that speaks volumes about the direction Pittsburgh may be heading on that side of the ball.
Tolzien brings a unique blend of experience to the role. He’s spent the last few years climbing the coaching ladder, most recently serving as the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints.
Before that, he worked under Mike McCarthy in Dallas, first as an assistant from 2020 to 2022 and then as the quarterbacks coach during the 2023-24 season. That connection to McCarthy isn’t just professional-it’s personal.
Tolzien was once McCarthy’s backup quarterback in Green Bay from 2013 to 2015, learning the game behind Aaron Rodgers during some of the Packers’ most competitive seasons.
That firsthand experience in quarterback rooms-both as a player and a coach-could be exactly what Pittsburgh needs. The Steelers have been searching for stability and identity on offense, and Tolzien’s background suggests he could bring a fresh, quarterback-centric approach to the job.
He understands the rhythm of an NFL offense from the inside out. He’s seen the game from the sideline, the film room, and the huddle.
Tolzien’s NFL playing career stretched from 2011 to 2017, during which he served as a backup for four different teams: the San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and Indianapolis Colts. That journeyman perspective-working behind the scenes, absorbing multiple systems, and supporting a variety of quarterbacks-has shaped him into a coach who sees the game from multiple angles.
With this hire, Pittsburgh continues to overhaul its staff, having already locked in Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator. The pairing of Graham and Tolzien suggests the Steelers are leaning into a blend of youth and experience, looking for coaches who can relate to today’s players while also bringing a sharp, strategic edge to the field.
For a franchise built on tradition but hungry for offensive evolution, Tolzien could be a fascinating fit. He’s not a household name-yet-but don’t let that fool you.
He’s been quietly preparing for this kind of opportunity for years. Now, with the keys to the offense in hand, he’ll get the chance to show what he can do on one of the NFL’s most storied sidelines.