Jerrod Johnson remains a top candidate for an offensive coordinator gig. The Texans QBs coach is set to meet with the Steelers today to discuss their OC vacancy, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Pittsburgh replaced Matt Canada midseason, handing the reins of the offense to Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan. That move (accompanied down the stretch by a switch to Mason Rudolph under center) produced an uptick in production for the unit, but it came as no surprise when head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed the team would look outside the organization for its next offensive coordinator.
Johnson (whose playing career included time in Pittsburgh in the 2012 offseason) represents a logical candidate for a replacement. The 35-year-old has only spent one season in his current post – having previously worked as an assistant QBs coach with the Vikings – but his work with C.J. Stroud has helped his stock dramatically. Stroud and the Texans shattered expectations in his rookie season, and that has generated plenty of outside interest for Johnson. The Saints and Browns have met with him already, and the same is true of the Eagles.
Johnson’s lack of experience relative to other candidates available could hinder his chances of landing an OC position, but the chance still remains that he could be promoted to the coordinator role in Houston. Texans OC Bobby Slowik has received head coaching interest in this year’s cycle, and his departure would create a notable vacancy on Houston’s staff. Johnson could be an internal option to take over from Slowik in the event he were to leave.
The Steelers’ list of OC candidates is relatively small for now, and the team’s only other interview to date has been with Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. Pittsburgh also has a meeting lined up with Rams QBs coach Zac Robinson. Johnson will join that pair in discussing a key role on Tomlin’s staff, as the Steelers look to find certainty at the quarterback position and on the sidelines for 2024.
I hope they hire Johnson
The offensive coordinator debacle was due to Roethesberger choosing Canada in 2021. Ben’s influence over the team in his last few years didn’t help on 2023
Yeah I mean a HOF QB finishing his career looking for an OC he’s comfortable with is an unspeakable act.
Don’t pin this on Ben. The Steelers suffered through last year but Tomlin brought Canada back.
Where did you get that Canada was Ben’s call ?
Canada got promoted because that’s what the Steelers do
It was well documented that Coach Randy was Ben’s puppet not Canada
Canada was a product of Dan Rooney Jr’s influence
Over the years as Dan Jr scouted Canada’s area he had coached in and the fact they had a friendship when Canada was at Pitt
Art Rooney doesn’t like paying a coach to not coach that’s why he was still with them to start the season
Finally Art had enough & pulled the plug because he didn’t have to hire anyone new until the season started
I love the Steelers & am extremely critical of Tomlin but I also call it as I see it The Steelers have some of the cheapest owners
Look around the league snd look at the depth of other coaching staffs and amount of coaches on staffs
The Steelers have nowhere near that many and when they do hire outside of the organization it’s very rarely for anyone looking to prove themselves and move on to better positions elsewhere
It’s always for a guy who they feel isn’t looking to go anywhere for awhile
And when we do get what seems like a young up n coming coach and his contract is up they let them walk
Look at the contract extensions over the years they refuse to set the market on anyone so if a star becomes a FA & wants to stay they better realize it’s gonna be on Art’s terms