Steelers have an early front-runner at offensive coordinator following a scheduled interview with former Mike McCarthy staffer
The Steelers are interviewing a former member of Mike McCarthy’s staff for their offensive coordinator position.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy for many reasons, but arguably none bigger than the fact that he is an offensive mind. While the hire has been met with considerable pushback from the majority of the fanbase (rightfully so), the decision to hire McCarthy was based on getting out of their comfort zone.
Instead of sticking with young, up-and-coming defensive coordinators, the Steelers went offense. Only, now they need an offensive coordinator, and there seems to be an early favorite in that running.
Steelers interviewing Cowboys TE coach Lunda Wells for OC position
“Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells is expected to interview this week for the Steelers offensive coordinator job. Wells worked under Steelers HC Mike McCarthy in Dallas for five years and interviewed this month for the Commanders OC job. He also is head coach for the West team in tonight’s East-West Shrine game.” – Adam Schefter, ESPN
Now, let’s get something clear here. Wells may be the offensive coordinator, he may play a role in the structure of the offense, but the scheme and, more importantly, the play-calling, will come down to McCarthy. That’s the whole reason that the Steelers hired McCarthy. You still have to build a staff, though, and I asked Mauricio Rodriguez of A to Z Dallas about what the Steelers would receive from Wells.
What would the Steelers receive from Lunda Wells?
“I’m not surprised McCarthy is interested in hiring Lunda Wells as offensive coordinator, not only because of their track record together. There is no question Wells is highly-regarded by the Dallas Cowboys and coaches who have spent time with the team. A couple of years ago, Dan Quinn requested to interview Wells to be OL coach and was shut down by the Cowboys. This year, Quinn requested another interview with him, this time to be the offensive coordinator. He was one of the few coaches Brian Schottenheimer kept on staff after taking over as head coach.
“Wells’ biggest achievement with the Cowboys is the fact that he developed Dalton Schultz (now with the Houston Texans) and Jake Ferguson, both fourth-round picks, into standout starters at the position. Additionally, he’s consistently developed undrafted free agents into contributors, with the most recent example being Brevyn Spann-Ford. He is known as a coach with a deep knowledge of the offense and who is very close to his players.”
Hopefully, the Steelers’ OC search is more thorough than what we saw in the head coaching search, but with McCarthy at the helm on offense, the role is lessened, and a friendly hire may be in the cards.
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