As the Pittsburgh Steelers’ search for a new offensive coordinator continues, a familiar voice has weighed in. Former NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger recently shared his thoughts on the type of coordinator Mike McCarthy should be targeting. He believes Pittsburgh should focus on long-term stability, bringing in someone with fresh ideas and talent to build the offense the right way around McCarthy’s system.

“I would still like for him [Mike McCarthy] to try and get a kind of a young up-and-comer that he can kind of groom into being that OC type that maybe takes over if McCarthy retires in however many years,” he said on the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. “But, maybe he wants to stick with someone that he knows or a system he knows, but he’s going to be the, he’s the main guy, right? He’s the guy that’s going to help do a lot of the work.”

The Steelers are currently seeking a new offensive coordinator after Arthur Smith left the team to take on the same role at Ohio State. And as they regroup, Roethlisberger emphasized McCarthy will be the focal point of the offense. So, any coordinator joining the team will be tasked with supporting, adding fresh ideas, and helping execute the coach’s vision. 

To drive his point home, the former Steeler pointed to McCarthy’s decision to hire longtime offensive line coach James Campen. The duo spent twelve seasons at Green Bay from 2007 to 2018, allowing Campen to absorb McCarthy’s system and elevate it. In his view, that’s the kind of collaboration the team must seek. 

“So now it’s like, let’s bring a guy in that, that brings a couple of really good ideas that we can plug into McCarthy system, but some of that can understand it,” he said. “And honestly, if they end up hiring someone that is kind of not a flashy hire, I don’t think that’s as big of a deal…Listen, some of these flashy coaches at one point were not flashy coaches. So you just never know what you could get.”

At this point, prioritizing talent over popularity is a necessity for Mike McCarthy’s team. It needs to improve two main areas: quarterback and wide receiver. They tried to fill the gap with two potential hires, which didn’t go their way.

Mike McCarthy’s team misses out on two potential candidates

The Steelers interviewed Scott Tolzien last week, presenting an opportunity for a reunion between him and McCarthy. He played quarterback under McCarthy at Green Bay. He later took a coaching role with the Dallas Cowboys, with McCarthy at the helm. While Roethlisberger thought Tolzien could be a good fit for the position, that vision may not materialize this season. The latest reports reveal he will remain with the New Orleans Saints for at least one more season. 

In his four-season career, Tolzien completed 88 of 146 passes for 1,065 yards. He also scored two touchdowns and averaged 7.3 yards per attempt. After quitting the sport in 2019, he returned to the NFL to coach the following year. He served as an assistant in his first two years with the Cowboys. Then, he became a quarterbacks coach for a similar tenure. During this time, he helped Dak Prescott deliver his best seasons.

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Most recently, Tolzien joined the Saints to continue in the same role and also shaped second-round rookie QB Tyler Shough. Meanwhile, he’s not alone in passing on the coaching opportunity at Pittsburgh.

“Sources: #Saints TEs coach Chase Haslett — who interviewed for the #Steelers passing game coordinator/TEs coaching position — will also remain in New Orleans,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz tweeted on X. “I’m told it was Haslett’s decision. A fast-rising coach to watch moving forward in upcoming cycles.”

At just 33, Haslett has built a strong coaching background. He spent four seasons in college football before joining the Cowboys from 2020 to 2024. During that time, he held various positions, including offensive quality control, assistant tight ends coach, and pass-game specialist. He then moved to New Orleans with Scott Tolzien. There, he reunited with Kellen Moore, who was Dallas’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022.

These add to the growing list of coaching setbacks Mike McCarthy’s team has faced this offseason. But for an organization known for its stability, taking some time to find the sound minds is not a big deal.