The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coaching staff is undergoing further changes with the recent appointment of Arthur Smith as the team’s new offensive coordinator. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers are parting ways with wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson, who has held the position for the past two seasons after taking over from Ike Hilliard. With this latest vacancy in Pittsburgh’s coaching staff, there is speculation about the possibility of former wide receiver Hines Ward rejoining the team.
Jackson’s tenure overseeing the wide receiver group, particularly highlighted by George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, has been met with criticism. Despite Pickens and Johnson’s combined statistics of 114 receptions for 1,857 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, there have been instances where they exhibited a lack of effort, which has led to public scrutiny, including on-field interactions.
It appears that Pittsburgh aims to address these issues by making changes within the coaching staff to minimize distractions and improve player accountability.
One notable candidate to fill the vacant position is Hines Ward, who played for the Steelers from 1998 to 2011. Ward has previous experience with the team, having worked as an offensive intern in 2017 and later serving as a Jets offensive assistant from 2019 to 2020.
In recent years, Ward has faced challenges in advancing his coaching career, serving as Florida Atlantic’s wide receivers coach in 2021 and as the head coach of the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in 2023. However, Ward’s deep connection with Pittsburgh and his potential to instill a winning mindset in the team cannot be overlooked.
During his illustrious playing career, Ward established himself as a Steelers legend, holding franchise records for career receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083), and receiving touchdowns (85). Beyond his impressive statistics, Ward was renowned for his exceptional blocking skills, which made him one of the best blocking wide receivers in NFL history.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has publicly endorsed Ward’s candidacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, highlighting Ward’s versatility and toughness on the field. Tomlin emphasized Ward’s selflessness and willingness to contribute in various facets of the game, whether it be catching passes, blocking, or making plays after the catch.
Given the Steelers’ tradition of embracing former players, Ward’s potential return to the coaching staff aligns with the organization’s values. His presence could potentially help cultivate a more disciplined and cohesive environment within the wide receiver group, addressing any perceived “diva” traits and fostering a culture of accountability and team-first mentality.
