New Orleans Saints quarterback coach Scott Tolzien interviewed for the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator position but ultimately decided to stay in New Orleans. Retaining Tolzien is an underrated win for Kellen Moore’s coaching staff and Tyler Shough’s development.
Tolzien's history with Mike McCarthy as a player and coach was likely a strong incentive for Tolzien to join the Steelers. That doesn’t even get to the bump in position. It’s likely not the last time he’ll have to face this type of decision. If he remains a hot commodity, Tolzien's time with the Saints may be short lived.
McCarthy clearly likes the staff Moore has built in New Orleans. Tight end coach Chase Haslett and assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans both interviewed for positions on the Steelers staff, as well. Evans accepted a position, but Haslett chose to stay with the Saints. Maybe this is a look at the staff McCarthy would have created if the Saints hired him last offseason.
Tyler Shough is the biggest winner of Scott Tolzien staying with the Saints
Kellen Moore crafted a unique ecosystem around Tyler Shough a year ago. He was in a competition with second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler for the starting role. Jake Haener was on the outside of the race looking in as the “elder statesman” of the room. He was in Year 3.
Moore opted to pass on a veteran quarterback and lean on a coaching staff of former quarterbacks. The process worked too well to not run it back in 2026. Granted, it wasn’t completely in the Saints’ hands once Tolzien was interviewing for another job. Still, his return was always a preferred and pivotal part of the offseason.
You hear horror stories of quarterbacks who have to endure coaching changes early in their career. Most times it’s highlighted with head coaches and coordinators. Losing Tolzien isn’t the same as Moore, but it’s still an important retention
Shough and Tolzien worked directly together as Shough’s positional coach. Unlike Moore or Doug Nussmeier, there was no focus being divided among the entire team or the rest of the offense. Tolzien worked solely with the offense and the results speak for themselves.
Shough delivered a great rookie year, in which he looked much improved from the preseason. If you don’t know the biggest concern on Shough coming out of college was poise in the pocket, his rookie tape would have never suggested it. Some of that credit has to go to Tolzien.
Regardless of how you divide the credit, giving Shough the same coaching staff only increases the odds of improvement in his second season. The coaches know Shough and know how to utilize and develop him, opposed to having to learn how to do that. Retaining familiarity in a system that worked should do nothing but help Shough strive.