Steelers Add ‘QB Guru’ To Coaching Staff
Steelers Encouraged to Consider Adding ‘QB Guru’ Pep Hamilton
Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now made the case for head coach Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers to think about appointing Pep Hamilton as an offensive assistant.
For the 2024 season, the coordinators for the Pittsburgh Steelers have been appointed. However, there are whispers that the Steelers are still considering adding more coaches to their staff.
On February 4, Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now suggested that Pittsburgh think about appointing veteran NFL offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton to the position of offensive assistant.
Hamilton was described by Farabaugh as a “renowned QB guru.”
“The Steelers should give Hamilton some thought given their desire to preserve Kenny Pickett’s progress,” Farabaugh stated. Hamilton’s plan isn’t too inventive, but it suits quarterbacks well. Even Davis Mills’ debut season produced some solid performance, which helped to bolster the quarterback position’s reputation a little.
In 2022, during Mills’ most recent NFL offensive coordinator position with the Houston Texans, Hamilton served as his coach. The previous season, he did not coach in the NFL.
Hamilton was also successful in his roles as the Los Angeles Chargers’ assistant and the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive coordinator.
“Hamilton was the quarterbacks coach for the Chargers before he moved to Houston, where he assisted Justin Herbert in winning the 2020 Rookie of the Year award,” writes Farabaugh. Furthermore, Hamilton was the offensive coordinator for the Colts from 2013 to 2015, and he had a key role in Andrew Luck’s 40 throwing touchdowns in 2014, which was a league best.
“He could bolster the staff and has demonstrated the ability to develop guys in that role.”
Is Pep Hamilton a candidate to join the Steelers as an offensive assistant?
One of the NFL’s smallest coaching staffs is that of the Steelers. Therefore, it wouldn’t be astonishing to see the club bring on more assistants, particularly if they have the same values as the group and would support quarterback Kenny Pickett.
On February 2, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic tweeted, “Honestly, I can see the Steelers adding to the offensive staff under Artie Smith more than changing the staff.” “I don’t expect an upheaval, but I’m sure one or maybe two will be replaced.”
On February 3, Noah Strackbein of SI.com’s All Steelers reported that the Steelers were scheduled to interview three applicants for the position of offensive assistant. Although Hamilton was not on Strackbein’s list of three candidates, the Steelers had already had an interview with him.
In 2021, the Steelers interviewed Hamilton for the position of offensive coordinator before moving Matt Canada up from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator.
Because of how well Hamilton would mesh with new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Farabaugh maintained that Hamilton makes even more sense for Pittsburgh in 2024.
“Hamilton might visit Pittsburgh to assist in coordinating Smith’s movements, compact formations, and action-packed offensive style,” Farabaugh speculated. Hamilton might, however, assist with one thing: generating flow in a dropback passing game, particularly from shogun looks.
“Smith is missing that one thing, and as a candidate, someone like Hamilton could bring that shotgun passing game and quarterback familiarity with it.”
Is Mike Vrabel a Potential Target for the Steelers?
On February 2, the Steelers formally declared Smith their new offensive coordinator. From 2021 until 2023, Smith was the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach.
The Steelers will appoint another former head coach to the defensive coaching staff if Strackbein gets his wish.
Mike Vrabel should be hired by the Steelers as a senior defensive assistant, according to Strackbein and Stephen Thompson, his co-host on All Steelers Talk.
According to Strackbein, “Art Rooney earns a billion dollars annually.” on February 2. “Sign Mike Vrabel now.”
For past NFL head coaches who don’t get hired as head coaches again, the Steelers have a history of filling an extra defensive coaching post. After a contentious divorce with the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores was hired by the Steelers in 2022 after he was passed over for coaching opportunities that offseason.
Neither Flores nor Smith had nearly as much success as Vrabel had as head coach. However, Vrabel was not hired as a head coach again, and this summer, he hasn’t drawn much interest as a contender for defensive coordinator.
On Pittsburgh’s coaching staff, the major positions are occupied. The Steelers haven’t ruled out making at least one more splash during this hiring cycle, though, as the media has evidently not done.