As the Pittsburgh Steelers gear up for one of their most important offseasons in recent memory, the search for a new offensive coordinator has led them to consider a very interesting candidate.
According to NBC Sports’ Peter King, the Steelers are seriously considering former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury for the vacancy.
“Right now, he’s talked to the Bears, and he’s gonna talk to the Steelers – interesting places,” King said on The Cook & Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.
BREAKING: USC coach Kliff Kingsbury will talk to the Pittsburgh #Steelers about their open offensive coordinator position, per NBC.
Would be a very good fit, to help modernize a Pit. offense which is years behind
👀 pic.twitter.com/ThHuNDqwbE
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 23, 2024
King emphasized the common ground between Kingsbury and the Steelers offensive philosophy.
“The Steelers are a running team… If he gets (the job), I guarantee you (they) will be a running team,” King said.
No way that dude is signing up to live in Pittsburgh
— The Degenerate (@TheDegenWeekly) January 23, 2024
King highlighted Kingsbury’s commitment to utilizing the run game to set up the pass, indicating a potential alignment with Pittsburgh’s historical dedication to running the ball, dating back to the 1970’s.
The speculation raises the question of whether Kingsbury could be the missing piece for the Steelers offense which suffered greatly under the guidance of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Of course, the biggest question in Pittsburgh is what the future holds for quarterback Kenny Pickett … Is Tomlin possibly under the belief that Kingsbury can save him?
Kingsbury Offense in the MIDWEST Climate ?? pic.twitter.com/6P00gg84Ow
— X (@sniperlsi) January 23, 2024
As the since-fired Canada knew all too well, the offensive coordinator job in Pittsburgh is one of the most highly scrutinized in all of football.
Kingsbury was thought to be the favorite to get the OC job in Chicago – but the Bears ended up hiring Shane Waldron instead.
The Steelers going from Matt Canada to Kliff Kingsbury would be my Joker origin story.
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) January 23, 2024
Kingsbury may have been a failure as a head coach in the NFL – However, most people agree he was virtually set up to fail in Arizona.
He spent this past season as an offensive assistant on Lincoln Riley’s staff at USC.
It’s safe to assume he’s eager for a second chance to prove himself at the NFL level…
What do you think about Kingsbury?
Should the Steelers hire him as their new OC?
Would he be able to save Pickett and restore some much-needed life to Pittsburgh’s offense???