MOBILE, Ala. — Scott Tolzien came to the 2026 Senior Bowl to be an offensive coordinator for the first time in his coaching career. He's leaving it as candidate to be one at the NFL leave.
Tolzien, who had a nine-year career as an NFL backup quarterback, just finished his first season as the quarterbacks coach of the New Orleans Saints . His work with young quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough drew rave reviews from around the NFL, and he was chosen to be the offensive coordinator of the American Team at the Senior Bowl this week — an honor usually reserved for one of the fastest-rising offensive position coaches in the NFL.
Then earlier this week, his old boss came calling, as new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy requested to interview Tolzien for the Steelers' offensive coordinator vacancy.
Tolzien is one of three confirmed candidates so far, along with Dallas Cowboys tight ends coach Lunda Wells and Minnesota Vikings passing game coordinator Brian Angelichio .
It's the first time that he's been requested to interview for an NFL offensive coordinator position.
"Anytime you get an opportunity to go interview for one of these that's a really great growth opportunity," Tolzien said after the American Team practice on Thursday. "So I'm lucky that I'm in the position that I enjoy where I'm at. Things are going really good, and yet, you always see what's out there. But my focus right now is on this game. Like it's awesome being here with all these players and coaches, so you want to put your best foot forward with them and give it your best shot."
If hired in Pittsburgh, Tolzien would be reunited with McCarthy, who coached him as a player before giving him his big break as a coach. Tolzien spent three seasons with the Packers from 2013-15. In 2020, McCarthy gave him his first full-time job as a coach. Tolzien worked his way up from coaching assistant to quarterbacks coach with the Cowboys.
"He's been incredible for my career, both as a player and a coach," Tolzien said. "So, I've learned a ton about how to approach a game plan, how to manage a team and everything in between. He's gotten these jobs for a reason, and I'm super appreciative to have crossed paths with him."
In Pittsburgh, Tolzien could also get back together with his former teammate, Aaron Rodgers . Rodgers was the starter the three seasons Tolzien spent in Green Bay as his backup.
"I really haven't put a whole lot of thought into that, but it's super cool," Tolzien said. "I mean, I have a ton of respect for, in my opinion, one of the greatest passers that's played this game"
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier at practice for the 2026 Senior Bowl on Jan. 29, 2026. — Alan Saunders / Steelers Now
Should the Steelers hire Tolzien, they'd also be getting an up-close and personal experience with three 2026 NFL Draft quarterback prospects, as well. Tolzien has been coaching Arkansas' Taylen Green , Illinois' Luke Altmeyer and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier . Tolzien's involvement with Nussmeier goes way beyond his three practices this week.
He's been serving under Doug Nussmeier, Garrett's father, who is the offensive coordinator with the Saints and was previously the quarterbacks coach in Dallas under McCarthy, when Tolzien was his assistant.
"It's been awesome, just to get to spend more time with him and actually do football with him," Garrett Nussmeier said. "It's been a lot of fun. I've really enjoyed it."
Tolzien will call the plays in Saturday's Senior Bowl, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. on NFL Network
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Scott Tolzien Says He's Lucky to Interview for Steelers Job, Credits Career to Mike McCarthy
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