Raiders Rumors: Steelers' Mike Sullivan to Interview for OC Job Under Antonio Pierce

After removing the interim tag from new head coach Antonio Pierce, the Las Vegas Raiders are continuing their search for a new offensive coordinator.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Raiders are set to interview Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan for their vacant OC position.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero previously reported that the Raiders were going to interview former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and ProFootballTalk's Josh Alper reported that former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson were "in the mix" for Vegas.

Sullivan, 56, has been the Steelers' quarterbacks coach since 2021, and he also has play-calling experience, having served as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2013 and the New York Giants' OC from 2016 to 2017.

After the Steelers relieved Matt Canada from his duties as offensive coordinator in November, Sullivan took over as the offensive play-caller despite running backs coach Eddie Faulkner being named interim OC.

The Pittsburgh offense improved after that move was made, as the Steelers averaged 16.6 points per game in 10 games under Canada, and 22.1 points per game in seven contests with Sullivan calling the plays.

Sullivan got more than expected out of quarterback Mason Rudolph, who started the final three games of the regular season, going 3-0 and completing 74.3 percent of his passes for 719 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The running game was also highly effective down the stretch, as Najee Harris topped 100 yards in each of the final two games of the regular season and scored three total touchdowns.

Pittsburgh managed to make the playoffs with a 10-7 record, and although it fell to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round, the Steelers made it much further than most expected when they were sitting at 7-7.

Pierce has some familiarity with Sullivan, as their time with the Giants overlapped for five seasons from 2005 to 2009.

Sullivan was the wide receivers coach during that time, while Pierce was a Pro Bowl linebacker. Together, they won a Super Bowl in 2007.

Whoever lands Las Vegas' OC job will likely do so without knowing for sure who the team's quarterback will be in 2024.

The Raiders opened 2023 with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as the starter, but he was replaced by rookie fourth-round pick Aidan O'Connell when Pierce took over as interim head coach after the firing of Josh McDaniels.

O'Connell went 5-5 as a starter and acquitted himself well, so he could be a starting option, or the Raiders could pursue one of the several quarterbacks expected to be available via trade or free agency, such as Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.