Following a disappointing end to the 2017 NFL season with a divisional playoff round exit, the Pittsburgh Steelers made some changes to their coaching staff. This was headlined by the team moving on offensive coordinator Todd Haley and promoting longtime quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner to be his replacement.
In the months that have passed since that move, the Steelers have yet to bring in a new quarterbacks coach to fill that void left by Fichtner. Despite that being the case, the Steelers have voiced comfort with the premise of keeping that position open this offseason heading into the 2018 campaign, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic.
“Maybe that will be something you explore down the road,” Fichtner said. “When you are not working with a veteran quarterback and I will throw Landry Jones into that because we’ve been together for six years. There is some natural communication that already takes place. It might be eye contact. Something might not even be said. It’s a look sometimes. You know how you give your kid a look when they made a mistake and they knew? . . .
Although Fichtner has voiced no real concern with that situation, Pro Bowl quarterback Roethlisberger has made it clear that it could be an issue down the road as it doubles the duty for the new offensive coordinator. The team does have young talent at the position behind Roethlisberger that includes this year's third-round selection Mason Rudolph.
At some point, there will be the need for individualized attention and tutelage for the younger quarterbacks on the roster to help them along. Rudolph could be at the focal point of that as he may be the eventual replacement for Roethlisberger once he steps away from the game.
Nonetheless, it may be a bridge that the team will cross at some point in the offseason or during the upcoming campaign when matter becomes more pressing for the coaching staff.
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