Exclusive on Steelers: Former Pitt QB Connected to Steelers OC Job Hours After Firing
In 2024, there will be other teams in the AFC North besides the Pittsburgh Steelers that will have a new offensive coordinator.
On January 17, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports revealed that Alex Van Pelt, the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, has been dismissed. The Browns also lost tight ends coach T.C. McCartney and running backs coach Stump Mitchell in addition to Van Pelt.
After Van Pelt was fired, it didn’t take long for him to be floated as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ potential new offensive coordinator.
Given his connections to Western Pennsylvania and the offensive success the Browns have seen under his leadership, Van Pelt will be a well-liked name associated with the Steelers as they search for a new offensive coordinator, according to Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney.
Pittsburgh native Van Pelt was a quarterback for the Pitt Panthers from 1989 until 1992. He shattered numerous school passing marks during his time at Pitt, which were previously held by quarterback Dan Marino of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
How Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt Might Fit in
Van Pelt won’t be eligible if the Steelers require recent play calling experience in order to fill the position of offensive coordinator. He spent four seasons as the offensive coordinator for Cleveland, but he never called plays.
That was Kevin Stefanski, the head coach of the Browns,’ responsibility.
However, there are still many positive aspects in Van Pelt’s résumé. He was a backup quarterback for 11 seasons in the National Football League. He participated in 31 games, making 11 starts for the Buffalo Bills in 1997 and 2001.
Van Pelt had spent a significant amount of his football career in Pittsburgh before the end of 1993. Van Pelt was selected by the Steelers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft, following four seasons of play at Pitt.
Despite not making the squad out of training camp, he signed a contract in late 1993 to play with the Kansas City Chiefs. He signed with the Bills in 1995 after once more failing to secure a position on the roster during Kansas City’s training camp in 1994.
In 2006, Van Pelt joined the Bills as a quality control coach to start his NFL coaching career. Over the previous eighteen years, he has worked as an offensive assistant in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Browns, Green Bay Packers, and Green Bay Packers.
But he didn’t call offensive plays with the Browns, Van Pelt has previous play-calling experience.
He worked for almost a full season in Buffalo in 2009 as both the play caller and the offensive coordinator. In 2005, he called offensive plays in his first coaching position in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy.
The list of Steelers offensive coordinator is growing.
It seems like the Steelers are adding offensive coordinator candidates to their roster every day. This is particularly true now that new instructors like Van Pelt are on the scene.
Arthur Smith, the head coach of the recently dismissed Atlanta Falcons, and Keenan McCardell, the coach of the Minnesota Vikings wide receivers, have been mentioned as potential contenders in recent days.
There are still more well-known individuals being touted in the media as potential contenders, such Klint Kubiak.
For the most part, the media has implied that having ties to Pittsburgh or the Steelers is a requirement for the position. However, the Steelers ought to take into account any applicant who might aid the team in developing a quarterback and increasing their point total.
The Browns were never a top passing club under Van Pelt, but Nick Chubb had excellent rushing totals. Before this season, every year Van Pelt was the coordinator, the Browns finished in the top six in the NFL in terms of running yards. Without Chubb for 15 games this season, they came in 12th place in terms of running.
