NFL Rumors: Steelers interview C.J. Stroud's QB coach for OC job
The Pittsburgh Steelers don't just need to hire a new offensive coordinator. They need to answer the biggest question of all: Who is their quarterback?
Kenny Pickett looms large over the OC decision. Finding someone who can help him reach his potential should be a priority. So it's notable the Steelers are interviewing with Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson on Friday. After all, he was part of the staff that got C.J. Stroud to hit the ground running in the NFL.
The #Steelers are interviewing #Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson today for their offensive coordinator job, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 26, 2024
Johnson has already interviewed for the open OC jobs with the Eagles, Saints and Browns.
Clearly, coaching Stroud to an inevitable Offensive Rookie of the Year Award has given Johnson a huge career boost. However, he's still rather green as a coach. The 2023 season was his first as a full-blown position coach. He had been the Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach in 2022 and a quality control coach for the Colts the two years before that.
If Mike Tomlin took a chance on Johnson, it would indicate he believes the rising star can make something of Pickett. But it would be a sizable risk to bet on someone with so little experience in general.