The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly hiring Tim Gribble to their scouting department, per NFL reporter Aaron Wilson. 

As Wilson notes, Gribble most recently worked for the Washington Commanders.

Wilson doesn’t note what title or role Gribble could have with the organization, nor does he offer an exact timing. Most often, front-office and scouting personnel changes occur after the draft, when contracts typically expire. A move during this time of the year is unusual, although it’s not unheard of.

Per his Washington bio, Gribble spent nearly a quarter-century with Washington. Most recently, he served as the organization’s Director of College Personnel, assuming the role in January 2020. While there, he worked closely with Kyle Smith, who recently became the Miami Dolphins’ new assistant general manager. When Smith left for another job, Gribble replaced his role.

It’s unclear whether this move is related to Assistant GM Andy Weidl’s interview for the Atlanta Falcons’ vacant general manager role. Should Weidl leave, adding someone like Gribble could help the organization reorganize if someone else internally, like Director of Player Scouting Mark Sadowski, were to be promoted.

Gribble has previous ties to the Steelers and the Pittsburgh region. Before joining Washington, Gribble spent two seasons as an assistant in the Steelers’ scouting department. He also played college football as a fullback at Duquesne and coached there from 1996-2000, serving various roles. Gribble grew up in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, just 35 miles south of Pittsburgh.

This 2017 article even notes that while with Washington, he remained in Pittsburgh. It makes joining the Steelers a natural fit.

Before becoming Washington’s Director of College Personnel, Gribble worked as an area scout for 16 seasons. He has experience covering the Northeast, South, and Midwest, giving him a versatile background regionally.

Since Omar Khan became general manager in May 2022, the Steelers’ front office has made plenty of changes. Only a few holdovers from the Kevin Colbert era remain: son Dan is one of them, along with Dan Rooney Jr., Kelvin Fisher, Mark Bruener, and Chidi Iwuoma.