He won’t help Mike Tomlin’s coaching tree, but one former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Tee Martin, could see his coaching career continue next season in a higher role.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Friday evening the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders will interview Martin for their offensive coordinator openings.
The Steelers drafted Martin at No. 163 overall in the fifth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He appeared in one game for the Steelers during the 2001 season.
Martin spent the past five seasons on John Harbaugh’s staff with the Baltimore Ravens. Martin was the team’s wide receivers coach from 2021-22. The last three years, he served as Baltimore’s quarterbacks coach.
“Martin has been the Ravens QBs coach the past three seasons — helping propel Lamar Jackson to the 2023 NFL MVP,” Schultz wrote on X. “A well-respected offensive mind, he has done extensive work for Baltimore’s passing game as a whole.”
The Lions and Commanders each parted ways with their offensive coordinators following the 2025 seasons. Both teams missed the playoffs after playing at least in the division round following the 2024 campaign.
Tee Martin to Interview With Lions, Commanders
Martin didn’t last very long in the NFL as a quarterback. But after a stint in the CFL as a player, he began his coaching career at the high school level. Martin’s first college coaching position came at New Mexico as the school’s quarterbacks coach.
With Tennessee, which is his alma mater, Martin served as assistant head coach as part of his role from 2019-20. He then returned to the NFL with the Ravens the following season.
After playing quarterback with the Volunteers, Martin became a fifth-round pick for Pittsburgh. The Steelers selected him at No. 163 overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Martin never attempted a pass for the Steelers. He played in one game — Week 17 of the 2001 season. Martin ran the ball once during that game for eight yards.
The following year, he played in NFL Europe. Martin was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in 2002. Then with the then Oakland Raiders, he appeared in two contests during the 2003 campaign.
Martin completed 6 of 16 passes for 69 yards with an interception in those games.
Mike Tomlin’s Coaching Tree
The Steelers head coach could use a new branch on his coaching tree. Despite nearly two decades in Pittsburgh, only one of his assistants, Bruce Arians, has moved on to become a head coach.
In Arians’ case, he didn’t leave directly for a head coaching opportunity either.
Obviously, Martin won’t be a branch for Tomlin. But the Steelers head coach could get one with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Multiple insiders reported Thursday that the Tennessee Titans will interview Smith. He previously served as the Titans offensive coordinator from 2019-20.
Should Smith leave, it will be interesting to see if perhaps the Steelers become a potential landing spot for Martin. But entering wild card weekend, Smith wasn’t focused on where he might go next season.
“That’s not something I’m going to focus on,” Smith said, according to Jose Negron from DK Pittsburgh Sports. “The only thing that matters is my current job. Like I tell people all the time, ‘I live in the present.’ … All my focus is on our guys, these guys … All I care about is the Steelers and our players.”
The Steelers will host the Houston Texans in the AFC wild card round on Monday, January 12.
Ex-Steelers QB Scores Interviews for Pair of NFL OC Openings: Report