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The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to lose running backs coach Eddie Faulkner to the Baltimore Ravens.
Running backs Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Kenneth Gainwell all blossomed into key offensive contributors during their time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, the franchise might lose Eddie Faulkner, the coach who led them.
Gainwell and Warren combined for 1,495 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground in 2025, while adding 819 yards and five touchdowns through the air. Gainwell earned Team MVP honors during his first season in Pittsburgh.
In four years with the Steelers, Harris rushed for 4,312 yards and 28 touchdowns on 1,112 attempts. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each season. Harris was also effective through the air, catching 180 passes for 1,149 yards and six touchdowns.
The Steelers are now expected to lose Faulkner after Mike McCarthy was named as the new head coach. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Steelers’ longtime running backs coach is expected to join the Baltimore Ravens.
Faulkner was hired as the Steelers’ running backs coach in 2019. He was the interim offensive coordinator in 2023 after Matt Canada was fired.
This news comes after McCarthy has mostly overhauled the Steelers’ coaching staff.
Mike McCarthy’s Staff Overhaul Continues
GettyPittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has continued to reshape his coaching staff since taking over.
Faulkner isn’t the only coach to depart the franchise since McCarthy took over. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer has reportedly joined the Buffalo Bills. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith departed for the college level and is the new offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Other assistants have also scattered to other franchises across the NFL, but some have stayed put in Pittsburgh. Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth was retained to lead the signal-callers.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported that McCarthy would keep secondary coach Gerald Alexander on staff. However, he joined the Minnesota Vikings as their defensive passing game coordinator.
The Steelers recently announced the hiring of Patrick Graham as their new defensive coordinator. They also added Jason Simmons (defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach), Scott McCurley (inside linebackers coach), and Steve Scarnecchia (chief of staff).
McCarthy, however, still needs to fill out the rest of his staff. While he will call offensive plays during the 2026 season, the longtime NFL coach is still looking for an offensive coordinator.
Scott Tolzien Pulls Out of OC Consideration
New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien interviewed for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator position on Feb. 2. However, he decided to remain with the Saints, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
So, the Steelers’ search for Smith’s replacement has continued. Late Monday night, Steelers Insider Mark Kaboly reported that the Steelers were planning to interview Vikings passing game coordinator/tight end coach Brian Angelichio for the position.
It’s still unclear who the Steelers’ quarterback will be in 2026. Mason Rudolph and Will Howard will return, but the Steelers could also draft a quarterback. There’s always the possibility that Aaron Rodgers returns for one more season as well.
Kaboly recently reported on 93.7 The Fan that he believes Rodgers will return this season.
“I think he will be their starting quarterback unless he comes to some kind of decision over the next month that he’s just done with football 100 percent,” Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan, via Steelers Depot’s Jeremy Pike. “This is him basically saying he’s coming back without him admitting he’s coming back.”
Greg Macafee Greg Macafee is a veteran sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He most recently covered the Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh for DK Pittsburgh Sports and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. More about Greg Macafee
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