The Pittsburgh Steelers have all of Steeler Nation talking about their decision to hire Arthur Smith as their next offensive coordinator. This however, hasn't necessarily answered all of the questions around how the rest of the Steelers' coaching staff will shake out.
At the top of the Steelers' coaching staff, the group is set. Head Coach Mike Tomlin will be leading the team for his 18th season in 2024, and will likely get an extension at some point this offseason with 2024 being the final year of his contract. Teryl Austin will also return in 2024 to head up the defensive side of the ball after his contract expired following the 2023 season, as it was reported he will sign a new two-year contract.
The majority of the questions will be who will remain on the staff below Smith, as oftentimes when offensive coordinators get brought in, they like to bring in some of their own guys who compliment their offense well. Mike Sullivan, who is the team's quarterbacks coach and play-caller to finish the 2023 season, is predicted to be back with the team in 2024, unless he gets an offensive coordinator job elsewhere. Sullivan did have recent interviews for offensive coordinator jobs outside of Pittsburgh.
One common hypothesis is that now that Smith is the team's offensive coordinator, a familiar face in Mike Munchak might return to coach the Steelers' offensive line in 2024 due to his connection to Smith during their time together at Tennessee (a position he held with the team from 2014-2018). Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette doesn't believe that will be the case however, which might upset some fans.
"No," Dulac told the WDVE 102.5 show when asked if he believes Munchak will return. "They're set with where they are with Pat Meyer. I will tell you that Mike Munchak was a possibility as coming back as a line coach, but the Steelers really like Pat Meyer. He's done a great job with their run game."
There is no denying that Pat Meyer has had the Steelers' offensive line continue to make strides throughout his two years as the team's offensive line coach, and that is impressive considering where they were when he came on board. In 2021, the offensive line was arguably the worst in the entire NFL. One must feel sorry for Ben Roethlisberger dealing with that in his last NFL season, but since then, Pittsburgh has become one of the better running football teams in the league.
Steelers' Offensive Line Fell Apart After Mike Munchak Left
Steelers fans will always be disappointed by Munchak no longer being on the staff, and for the most part, that disappointment is deserved. The offensive line drastically fell off once he left, but some of that was definitely due to an aging line that was not given the proper attention or investment from the front office until it was too late.
Meyer has done well to get the Steelers' current group to the spot it is now, but the continued growth will be needed in 2024 for the team to have sustained success. The Steelers surprisingly were near the best in the league for sacks allowed in 2023, but it was clear that pass protection was the offensive line's biggest issue when watching the games.
One huge task Meyer has to take on is developing 2023 first round pick Broderick Jones into the franchise left tackle that everyone expects him to become. Jones took over for veteran Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle during the 2023 season, and while a boost to the run game took place, Jones mightily struggled in pass protection. That will only become more exposed if the issues continue with his inevitable return to his natural left tackle position.
If Dulac is correct and the Steelers stick with Meyer, many will be frustrated as they want the Steelers to reclaim their tenacity from the Munchak days. However, Meyer is more than earned his spot with the team by improving their offensive line, and if the arrow keeps trending up like it has been, it will turn out to be a good decision.
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