The Pittsburgh Steelers have successfully already filled a lot of roles on their new coaching staff. But the team will not be hiring New Orleans Saints tight ends coach Chase Haslett.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Haslett interviewed for the Steelers passing game coordinator/tight ends coaching role. But, Haslett turned it down, electing to stay in New Orleans.
“I’m told it was Haslett’s decision,” Schultz wrote on X. “A fast-rising coach to watch moving forward in upcoming cycles.”
Haslett previously worked under McCarthy when the new Steelers head coach was in charge with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-24. Haslett, who has numerous western Pennsylvania ties, was an assistant tight ends coach and pass game specialist during that tenure.
McCarthy coached under Haslett’s father, Jim, in New Orleans from 2000-04. Jim Haslett was the Saints head coach while McCarthy was the team’s offensive coordinator.
Chase Haslett Turns Down Steelers Opportunity With Mike McCarthy
The Steelers pursuing Haslett for their first McCarthy coaching staff made a lot of sense. Before Jim Haslett coached in New Orleans, he was the Steelers defensive coordinator from 1997-99.
Like McCarthy, Jim Haslett is a Pittsburgh native. Chase played quarterback at IUP, which is located about an hour east of Acrisure Stadium in downtown Pittsburgh.
But the younger Haslett forewent a reunion with McCarthy. The 2026 season will be his second as the Saints tight ends coach.
It’s not clear why Haslett decided to stay in New Orleans. The reason is also not likely to become public.
Perhaps Haslett didn’t view the Steelers opportunity as a promotion or the pay wasn’t as good. It’s also possible Haslett likes the direction the Saints are heading in under Kellen Moore, who he also coached under in Dallas.
To be clear, though, those things being reasons for Haslett’s decision is pure speculation.
Haslett has six years of NFL coaching experience. He also coached four years at the college level before joining the Cowboys.
He started as a graduate assistant at Nebraska and Mississippi State from 2016-18. Haslett coached tight ends at Mercer in 2019 before jumping to the Cowboys.
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With McCarthy’s 18 years of experience as an NFL head coach, he has plenty of contacts. So while he missed on hiring one of his former tight ends coaches, he’s already targeting another one.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported Tuesday the Steelers are interviewing Minnesota Vikings tight ends coach Brian Angelichio. Dulac wrote on X that Angelichio could join McCarthy’s staff in a dual role, serving as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
Angelichio served as Green Bay Packers tight ends coach under McCarthy from 2016-18.
Like Haslett, Angelichio also has a previous Pittsburgh connection. Angelichio coached tight ends and served as an offensive assistant at Pitt from 2006-10.
Angelichio has coached at the NFL level with six different teams, including the Packers, since 2012.
From a team perspective, it’s always disappointing for a coaching candidate to turn down an organization’s opportunity. But with Angelichio, the Steelers could fill two of their biggest remaining coaching needs.
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