Ex-Steelers OL Suggests Rising 49ers Guru as Next OC

In a month or so, the Steelers will embark on their mission to find a new offensive coordinator after they fired Matt Canada midseason. The team could add from a growing tree of coaches in the Kyle Shanahan tree if they want to do that. Guys like Klint Kubiak could be available to add from that staff, but Trai Essex, the former Steelers offensive lineman, has another idea.

Quarterbacks coach Brian Griese is a big part of what the 49ers do on offense and is critical to aiding Brock Purdy’s development. Despite his lack of play-calling experience, Essex believes that Griese could be a name that rings a bell for Mike Tomlin, who could add something to the coaching staff.

“An intriguing name to look at for the OC job next year: Brian Griese,” Essex said on X. “I don’t know how much credit he deserves to have vs Shanahan for the job they’ve done with Purdy but I would like to find out! He lacks playcall experience but him being a QB lessens that concern for me.”

Kubiak holds the title of Passing Game Coordinator for the 49ers, who have created one of the most explosive passing games in the entire NFL. But they have done so through different means than most offenses. It is primarily oriented in the middle of the field attack like most teams, but Purdy’s average depth of target on passes that go for over twenty yards is 15.8 yards. That’s an anomaly, but the 49ers staff and Griese have done a fantastic job of working the offense around him.

The Shanahan tree has produced coaches like Mike McDaniel, Bobby Slowik, and others, lighting the NFL world on fire. Tomlin has a connection with Shanahan if he needs a reference, too. The 49ers head coach worked on the same Buccaneers staff as Tomlin in the mid-2000s. So, these guys know each other, which could be a connection that gets Tomlin to dip into that tree. Griese, despite his lack of play-calling experience, has shown the ability to make a young quarterback comfortable, and could be the hidden solution for the Steelers.