The Steelers are interviewing Scott Tolzien for what would be his first coordinating position. Luke Getsy believes he’s ready for it. A former NFL quarterback, Tolzien spent three years in Green Bay under Mike McCarthy. Aaron Rodgers was the leader of his position room, and Getsy was on the staff as an assistant. Getsy recalls what he observed of Tolzien as a young player during their time together.
“The work ethic was ridiculous”, he said of Tolzien, appearing on the Kaboly + Mack show yesterday. “He was someone who, honestly, fundamentally was kind of out of sync. We put him through the QB school for those three seasons, and you could just see his work habits to make him an efficient passer and someone who was able to go out and play and start a few games and have some success as a player. But the work ethic and the football IQ part of it was just something that was innate”.
Scott Tolzien did not have a great NFL career by any means, featuring a 2-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has, however, proven his merit as a coach and has great familiarity with McCarthy. When McCarthy earned the Cowboys’ head coach job, he hired Tolzien. From 2020 to 2022, he served as a general assistant. For the next two years, he was their quarterbacks coach.
Dallas cleaned house last offseason, including firing Mike McCarthy. Tolzien moved on to New Orleans, where he worked with rookie QB Tyler Shough. Now with McCarthy in Pittsburgh, it could be a reunion with Tolzien once again. This time, with a much-deserved promotion in Luke Getsy’s eyes.
“Scott [Tolzien]’s such a great dude, too. Just a great teammate, and he’ll work his ass off just like anybody else would”, Getsy said. “I think he’s more than ready for an opportunity like this, without a question”.
Mike McCarthy has called his team’s offensive plays as head coach throughout his career. He is confident that Tolzien can do what would be asked of him short of that, having already confirmed that he continues to reserve play-calling responsibilities for himself.
While it is not yet official, reports indicate McCarthy intends to retain QB coach Tom Arth. He has held the job for the past two seasons, and presumably McCarthy has heard good reviews from the Steelers’ current quarterback room. Pairing him with Scott Tolzien—especially if Aaron Rodgers returns—would provide continuity on multiple levels.
Former Steelers OC Arthur Smith interviewed for several NFL head coach and coordinator openings before taking the OC role for Ohio State. The radical shift was sparked by former HC Mike Tomlin’s abrupt resignation. That led to Mike McCarthy coming home to Pittsburgh—quite literally. And now he’s bringing the band back together, of which Tolzien may be a part.