Finally, the Steelers released offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Tuesday. RB coach Eddie Faulkner will take over as interim play-caller, and QB coach Mike Sullivan will handle play-calling duties. But in 2024, Pittsburgh will likely have a new full-time OC. Here are five dream candidates.
Ben Roethliberger, retired
This is obvious. Roethlisberger led the Steelers to three Super Bowls, winning two from 2004-21. The player who was taken 11th overall in 2004 hasn’t been shy about expressing his opinions on Pittsburgh’s problems this season. It’s unclear whether he would consider coming out of retirement into a coaching position, but if he did, the team should welcome him back with open arms. He may be exactly what QB Kenny Pickett needs after struggling through the first season and a half of his NFL career.
Byron Leftwich, free agent
The Steelers love having connections with former players, and Leftwich is just that. The former quarterback played for Pittsburgh in 2008 and from 2010-12. He won two Super Bowls, one as a player and one as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. Leftwich had already contacted the Steelers earlier this season about joining their coaching staff, but according to 93.7 The Fan’s, they more or less “ignored” him. Marek Kaboly.
Joe Brady, the Bills’ interim OC
Brady is currently the Bills’ interim offensive coordinator, but the team will likely conduct an extensive search for its next full-time OC in the offseason. Then Pittsburgh could swoop in and steal him. Brady’s resume is impressive, as he helped develop Bengals QB Joe Burrow during his time at LSU and QB Josh Allen the past two years in Buffalo. Burrow and Allen are considered two of the best point guards in the league. If he had the chance, he could have helped Pickett join the same conversation.
Darrell Bevell, Dolphins QB coach and passing game coordinator
Bevell certainly has the experience to earn another OC job for the Steelers. The Dolphins QB coach and passing game coordinator helped the Seahawks appear in two Super Bowls and win one from 2011-2017. He also helped turn around the career of QB Tua Tagovailoa, which is exactly what Pickett needs. Pickett also has similar traits to Tagovailoa. Neither point guard has huge arms, but they can still be very effective with the weapons they have around them.
Eric Bujemy, Commanders OC
Bujemy would have been one of the fan favorites had Pittsburgh left Canada last season. Bniemy helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowls as offensive coordinator from 2018-2022 and has a really good enough resume to be an NFL head coach. The Commanders season is clearly not going according to plan, and if they decide to clean up in the offseason, Bujemy could face cuts once he joins the team this year. If that’s the case, the Steelers shouldn’t let him stay on the market for too long.
