Steelers OC candidates: New potential names emerge after coaching shake-up

Despite going 3-3 in the final stretch and sneaking into the playoffs (with help), keeping interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner and play-caller Mike Sullivan at the helm would be a very Pittsburgh Steelers thing to do.

Though most fans would like to see a fresh perspective from an experienced coordinator with wins under his belt, Kenny Pickett as the starter might be a tough sell to some. Pickett is already familiar with Faulkner and Sullivan and vice versa, so keeping them around would be the easy way out.

If the Steelers should win in Buffalo today, the offensive coordinator question will be answered.

But on the off-chance Mike Tomlin brings in one new guy to do both jobs, here are some candidates Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko recently floated after the coaching shake-up of Black Monday.

Arthur Smith | ex-Falcons HC

… his stellar work with a play action-heavy offense in Tennessee and reviving Ryan Tannehill’s career is why he got the keys in Atlanta to begin with. Hitching his wagon to Desmond Ridder at quarterback didn’t go so well for him, though. Some folks aren’t head coach material but are still excellent at designing an offense and calling plays. Perhaps Smith fits that description, and there’s no doubt his reputation would align with the Steelers’ personnel and philosophy on offense.

Luke Getsy | ex-Bears OC

…You could call him established, but head coach Matt Eberflus did give him the ax after just two seasons coaching Justin Fields, his first play-calling opportunity in the NFL. He’s from here, a Steel Valley High School graduate and Pitt alum who went on to be quarterbacks coach for Aaron Rodgers from 2019-21 in his second stint with the Packers.

Shane Waldron | ex-Seahawks OC

Shane Waldron was Pete Carroll’s offensive coordinator the past three seasons in Seattle, but Carroll’s out as head coach and it’s been reported that his replacement will build his own staff. Waldron, 44, worked his way up the coaching ladder from Patriots intern in the early 2000s and his work with Geno Smith is awfully impressive. He’s a limb of the Sean McVay tree and actually coached under Mark Whipple at UMass before that.