Brian Angelichio, Steelers Reportedly Agree to OC Contract on Mike McCarthy's Staff

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Brian Angelichio reportedly agreed to a deal to make him the team's new offensive coordinator on Wednesday, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Meanwhile, the Steelers announced several hires on the offensive side of the football, in addition to hiring former Washington Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. as assistant head coach/secondary coach:

The news of Angelichio's hiring comes after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Scott Tolzien was a top candidate for the role (1:55 in video):

This move reunites McCarthy and Angelichio, who worked together for three seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 2016 to '18.

ESPN's Adam Schefter previously reported last week that Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells would interview for the role.

The Steelers hired McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin as their head coach, who stepped down after 19 seasons at the helm.

McCarthy was most recently head coach of the Cowboys from 2020 to 2024, and offense was never the biggest problem during McCarthy's time in Dallas. The Cowboys ranked first, fourth and first in scoring from 2021 to 2023, and McCarthy was the team's primary play-caller for part of that stretch.

He also called plays for much of his time as the Packers' head coach from 2006 to 2018. McCarthy went 125-77-2 in Green Bay and won a Super Bowl.

Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith called plays as the offensive coordinator for the past two seasons in Pittsburgh, but he has since left to take the OC job at Ohio State.

While the Steelers made the playoffs each of the past two seasons, their offense left plenty to be desired, as they ranked 23rd in total offense and 16th in scoring offense in 2024, and 25th in total offense and 15th in scoring offense in 2025.

▶️ Full Texans-Steelers Recap

05:36

Right now, the biggest question for McCarthy and Angelichio relates to who the team's quarterback will be in 2026.

Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers served in that role this season and performed well enough to lead the Steelers to the playoffs, but his future is uncertain, as he is 42 years old.

However, given that Rodgers played under McCarthy in Green Bay from 2006 to 2018, it could increase the chances of a Rodgers return to Pittsburgh in 2026.

This will be a new test for Angelichio, who has never worked as an NFL offensive coordinator in his 14 seasons coaching at this level. The vast majority of his pro tenure has been as a tight ends coach.

It wasn't until Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hired Angelichio in 2022 that he expanded his portfolio beyond being a tight ends coach. The 53-year-old was a college offensive coordinator at Ithaca from 2000 to '05.

Angelichio also has ties to Pittsburgh because he was the tight ends coach for the Panthers from 2006 to '10. He also had the title of offensive assistant during his first season with the program.

McCarthy has said he intends to run the offense and call plays for that unit, so Angelichio won't have as much on his plate with the Steelers. Their familiarity with each other from Green Bay should make for an easy shorthand, but it won't be until we see what Angelichio does in the role that it can be determined if he can help elevate this offense to another level.