Mike

Sullivan

Sullivan will be quarterbacks coach for his fourth team, spending time with the Steelers, Giants, and Broncos under the same role. The Raiders add the 59-year-old ahead of a potential Fernando Mendoza pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Klint Kubiak is rounding out his offensive staff as a rookie quarterback awaits; Sullivan brings over 20 years of NFL coaching experience to the team.

According to Wilson, the Steelers contemplated giving Sullivan a new role for next season, but that discussion has since been tabled. Sullivan has worked as the Steelers quarterbacks coach since 2021 and has been in the same role with the Giants and Broncos over the last nine years. Sullivan served as the Steelers’ offensive play-caller after the firing of Matt Canada, but will once again be tasked with getting more out of Kenny Pickett.

Per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Sullivan worked with Derek Carr as he prepared for the 2014 NFL Draft. Sullivan also worked with Derek’s brother David while the two were members of the Giants. The Saints aren’t the only team interested in bringing Sullivan on. The Raiders have an interview lined up with him as well. Sulivan has been the Steelers’ quarterbacks coach since 2021. He also took on play-calling duties late this season after offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired. The Steelers’ offense immediately showed some signs of life and looked even better after making the switch to Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh’s late-season surge should earn Sullivan another crack at an offensive coordinator gig.

The longtime Giants assistant/occasional offensive coordinator was most recently the Broncos’ QBs coach in 2018. It’s not an addition that is going to shake up the Steelers’ staff, and is further indication the Steelers are hoping to survive 2021 merely by tweaking a declining Ben Roethlisberger.

It’s believed Sullivan-to-New York became a done deal as soon as Kevin Gilbride retired. Sullivan was fired along with Greg Schiano in Tampa Bay, but runs a very similar offense to Gilbride and worked as Eli Manning’s QBs coach from 2010-2011. We’d expect this hire to be finalized sooner rather than later.

It means Joe Philbin will be added to Ben McAdoo’s staff as something else, likely assistant head coach. Despite the promotion, Sullivan is unlikely to call plays. That’s expected to remain McAdoo’s responsibility. The Giants are keeping essentially every one of Tom Coughlin’s top assistants. It’s an odd strategy for a team that could have used a reset.

The move is a formality, as the G-Men made no effort to replace Ben McAdoo, who was promoted to head coach, with an outside candidate. McAdoo is expected to continue calling his own plays.

“I’ll just say this: Ben [McAdoo] and I worked closely together last year, developed a high level of trust and respect, and I talk to him every day,” Sullivan said. “I have a really good feel for this system, and if given the opportunity, I’d enjoy it very much [to call plays].” McAdoo was expected to keep calling the game even after being promoted to head coach, but the Giants have yet to announce a decision. Sullivan was the Bucs offensive coordinator in 2012 and 2013. Josh Freeman had a career year under Sullivan in 2012, but Tampa ranked dead last in total offense the next season.

He replaces Danny Langsdorf, who accepted the offensive coordinator job at Nebraska. Sullivan was out of the league last year, but has previous ties to the Giants. He most recently served as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator under Greg Schiano. Eli Manning had his best season under Sullivan in 2011.

With ex-QBs coach Bill Musgrave’s promotion to offensive coordinator permanent, the Broncos are casting a surprisingly wide net to replace him. They will also reportedly talk to Ben McAdoo (Sullivan’s old boss) and Ken Zampese.