Pittsburgh — The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the employment of three offensive coaches: Tom Arth, Zach Azzanni, and Mateo Kambui. Arth joins the squad as the new quarterbacks coach, and Azzanni as the new wide receivers coach. Kambui comes as an offensive assistant. Arth began his NFL coaching career in 2022 as the Chargers’ pass-game specialist. He formerly served as head coach at Akron (2019-2021), Chattanooga (2017-2018), and John Carroll (2013-16).
Azzanni previously worked for the Jets, Chicago Bears (2018), and Denver Broncos (2018-2022). He previously served as the NCAA’s passing game coordinator for Florida in 2010 and Tennessee from 2015 to 2016. He was also Western Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2011 and Central Michigan’s associate head coach from 2007 to 2009. Kambui arrives from Atlanta, where he worked with the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. He served as the Falcons’ assistant offensive line coach in 2023. Prior to joining Atlanta, he was a member of the Denver Broncos’ Marlin Briscoe Coaching Fellowship. He assisted in scouting and coaching the wide receivers.
The Steelers are still likely to employ new strength and conditioning coaches, and it is unclear whether former quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will remain with the organization. According to reports, they are working to retain him.
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Steelers’ T.J. Watt talks wooing J.J. Watt from retirement
J.J. Watt, a future Hall of Famer, raised eyebrows earlier this week when he stated that he “definitely was monitoring” the scenarios surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans this past season as he mulled coming out of retirement.
T.J. Watt, the Steelers’ standout pass rusher, stated during an interview with Ryan Morik of Fox News Digital that he was considering getting his brother into a Pittsburgh black-and-gold shirt when the team was 7-7 in the middle of December.
“I was trying to win as much as possible,” T.J. Watt stated. “I knew that was going to be a major factor. At the end of the day, all of those business decisions are independent of that. He was prepared just in case, and, obviously, that did not come to pass.”
J.J. Watt retired after the 2022 season, stating in September that he enjoyed “waking up feeling great” because he was no longer on an active football roster. The 34-year-old was inducted into the Texans’ Ring of Honor on October 1 and previously stated that he could have spent a season with the Green Bay Packers, but the Wisconsin native chose to prioritize his health.
“I think, in hindsight, he’s happy he didn’t have to come back and deal with all the soreness and things,” T.J. Watt said in a statement. “He’s not living a bad life at all.”
J.J. Watt keeps himself active outside of sport, as he is a minority stakeholder in Burnley, an English Premier League club. Watt also serves as an NFL commentator for CBS Sports. In January, Andrew Marchand reported for the New York Post that Watt “could have a bigger role” on “The NFL Today” program next season “if he wants it.”
However, given the Steelers’ postseason qualification, one has to wonder if J.J. Watt is reconsidering not playing alongside his brother for a cup of coffee. Pittsburgh’s postseason run ended with a 31-17 wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Regarding the possibility of J.J. Watt calling Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin this summer, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year stated this week on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he is “1,000% done” playing.
