Steelers hire ex-NFL QB Matt Baker as offensive assistant

Steelers added to their offensive staff today with the hire of ex-NFL journeyman quarterback Matt Baker.

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith continues to build his staff of former Atlanta Falcons coaches with the most recent hire of Matt Baker, who, according to the Pittsburgh Steelers coaches roster, has the title of offensive assistant.

Baker spent one season with Smith in Atlanta after serving as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Division III school John Carroll University.

We’ll see what kind of duties Baker, 40, is assigned, but it’s likely to involve quarterback development.

Baker was an offseason roster/practice squad journeyman for four seasons in the NFL, landing with the Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and New Orleans Saints. He never took the field in a regular season game.

As noted by Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, the Steelers now have two former pro quarterbacks on staff (QB coach Tom Arth) where they previously had none.

Baker is the second offensive assistant on staff, as the Steelers announced the addition of Mateo Kambui on Feb. 9.

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Steelers boast oldest primary coaching staff in the NFL

Is the age of the Steelers coaching staff a good thing or a bad thing?

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With age comes wisdom, right? Let’s hope so because according to ESPN, the Pittsburgh Steelers have the oldest primary coaching staff in the entire NFL. With an average age of 58.5 years old, Pittsburgh’s coaching staff is a full 20 years older than the youngest staff in the league, which are the San Francisco 49ers.

Head coach: Mike Tomlin (48)
Offensive coordinator: Randy Fichtner (56)
Defensive coordinator: Keith Butler (64)
Special teams coordinator: Danny Smith (66)

For many years head coach Mike Tomlin was able to boast he was one of the youngest coaches in the league. But with the rush of new up-and-coming coaches, Tomlin at 48 finds himself in the middle in terms of age.

Looking at the Steelers coaching staff beyond the coordinators it isn’t clear if there is a plan to replace guys like Randy Fichtner or Keither Butler already on staff. Matt Canada might be the eventual replacement for Fichtner but you have to think he’s staying as long as Ben Roethlisberger is around.

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