The Pittsburgh Steelers offense will enter a new era in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mike Sullivan, the quarterbacks coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will call offensive plays in place of fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Eddie Faulkner, the Steelers’ running backs coach, will serve as offensive coordinator for the rest of the season.
With the Steelers’ devotion to their coaches, it wouldn’t be surprising if Faulkner or Sullivan were named full-time offensive coordinators next season (assuming the offense improves in the final seven games). However, the rumor mill will continue to suggest potential outside candidates for the Steelers’ coaching staff opening.
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette named five candidates for the Steelers offensive coordinator position on November 22. The list began with Bryon Leftwich, who has been a popular choice in the media for nearly a year to replace Canada.
However, the list concluded with a much less unanimous choice — former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell.
Despite being labeled a “long shot,” Fittipaldo believes Caldwell is a viable offensive coordinator candidate for the Steelers due to his track record of developing quarterbacks and strong relationship with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
“This is a long shot because Caldwell will turn 69 in January, but he interviewed for the vacant offensive coordinator’s position with the Steelers in 2012,” Fittipaldo said in a statement. “The Steelers ultimately hired Todd Haley, but Mike Tomlin and Caldwell are longtime friends.”
Caldwell was the Colts’ head coach from 2009 to 2011, and the Lions’ head coach from 2014 to 2017. In seven seasons, he had a 62-50 record.
Caldwell is a senior assistant for the Carolina Panthers this season.
Jim Caldwell’s Track Record of Developing NFL Quarterbacks
If the Steelers’ 2023 season has proven anything, it’s that Tomlin will keep his team competitive no matter how bad the statistics are.
However, in order to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders again, the Steelers must develop a franchise quarterback. Obviously, the Steelers would prefer Kenny Pickett to be that signal caller.
As a result, Pittsburgh’s choice for offensive coordinator is critical. Tomlin must select a coordinator who will work with Pickett to help him develop into a star.
Caldwell will turn 69 in January, but despite his age, he has experience working with and developing a variety of quarterbacks.
“Caldwell has worked with some of the top quarterbacks in the NFL this century.” He was the Colts’ associate head coach and quarterbacks coach before being named head coach, and he tutored Peyton Manning,” Fittipaldo wrote. “He was Baltimore’s quarterbacks coach in 2012 when Joe Flacco led the Ravens to the Super Bowl, and he coached Matthew Stafford in Detroit.”
Caldwell took over as Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator after Cam Cameron was fired during the 2012 season. Following the switch, the team went 5-2, including the postseason, en route to winning the Super Bowl.
During the 2009 season, he led the Indianapolis Colts to a 14-2 record and a Super Bowl appearance.
Caldwell also led the Lions to a 36-28 record. Since 1972, he is the only Detroit head coach with an overall winning record (minimum of 8 games).
The Steelers have a history of elevating offensive coordinators and hiring former head coaches.
Tomlin was promoted from within the organization the last two times the Steelers changed offensive coordinator.
Canada previously served as the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2020. Randy Fichtner was offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2019. Since 2007, he had served as an offensive positions coach on the Pittsburgh staff.
However, unless the Steelers offense improves dramatically in seven weeks under Faulkner and Sullivan, Tomlin will likely face pressure to hire an outside coordinator as his next coordinator.
Todd Haley was the Steelers’ last offensive coordinator hired from outside the organization in 2012.
Tomlin has hired several former NFL head coaches during his 17-year tenure with the Steelers, including Haley. Former head coaches in assistant roles, such as Mike Munchak as offensive line coach and Brian Flores as linebackers coach, have been among his best coaching hires.
If Tomlin does not hire Caldwell as offensive coordinator, Fittipaldo believes he could still have a role with the Steelers.
“Adding Caldwell, even if it’s as a senior assistant or consultant, would be a step in the right direction after the questionable hires of Fichtner and Canada.”
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