Report: Pittsburgh Steelers targeting New Orleans Saints coach at defensive coordinator

The search for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ next defensive coordinator is underway. The Steelers have already begun to request interviews with various coaches around the league in hopes of filling their vacancy. And according to NFL networks Ian Rapoport, they are looking at a former co-architect of the Seattle Seahawks legion of boom for their defensive coordinator position.

Rapoport relayed the news, via Twitter on Monday, that Pittsburgh has requested to interview with New Orleans Saints defensive back coach Khris Richard.

“The Steelers have requested to interview Saints DBs coach Kris Richard for their vacant defensive coordinator opening, source said. The former Seahawks DC gets another chance after impressing in New Orleans,” wrote Rapoport.

Richard took over for Dan Quinn as defensive coordinator after the Seahawks fell to the New England Patriots in the Super bowl in 2014. He would hang on to that position for three seasons from 2015- 17. During that time, Richard’s defense ranked first in points allowed in the 2015 season, third and 2016, and 13th in 2017.

Since then, Richard has been the Dallas Cowboys defensive back coach and passing game coordinator for two seasons, 2018-19. But he disappeared from the coaching radar after being let go by the Cowboys following the 2019 season. This year, Richard joined Sean Payton and Dennis Allen in New Orleans as the Saints defensive back coach.

Steelers planning on keeping Haskins to compete for QB1

The Pittsburgh Steelers must figure out how to replace Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback. Dwayne Haskins, who has served as the Steelers third quarterback this season, got some clarity on his status heading into 2022.

“The Steelers have indicated to Dwayne Haskins that they plan to place a restricted free agent tender on him for 2022, per source, and Haskins expects that to be an original-round tender, paying in range of $2.5 million. Another suggestion Haskins is in QB mix in Pittsburgh,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted.

Haskins sat behind Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph this season in Pittsburgh. The former first round pick appears to be firmly in the mix for the Steelers next season.

Washington selected Haskins 15th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He started 13 games while with Washington, playing in 16 games overall. In that time, Haskins completed just over 60 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,804 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Washington went 3-10 in the 13 games that Haskins started.

Before the 2020 season came to an end, Washington parted ways with Haskins. He then found his way to Pittsburgh at the end of the 2020 season. And he’s likely to get a shot to compete for the Steelers starting quarterback job in 2022.