Getty NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported that Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers lost assistant defensive backs coach Gerald Alexanders to the Las Vegas Raiders on January 24.
A former Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach is heading to the Las Vegas Raiders, but it’s not interim offensive play caller Mike Sullivan. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that the Raiders are hiring Gerald Alexander as their safeties coach.
Alexander coached the 2022 and 2023 seasons as the Steelers assistant defensive backs coach.
“He also ran Dolphins DB room from 2020-21 where he became a favorite for many players,” Wolfe wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Now, he aims to do it again in Vegas.”
Raiders are hiring Gerald Alexander as their safeties coach, per source.
Alexander spent the last 2 seasons as Steelers assistant defensive backs coach. He also ran Dolphins DB room from 2020-21 where he became a favorite for many players. Now, he aims to do it again in Vegas.
Wolfe’s report of Alexander heading to the Raiders came on the same day that NFL Network’s Garafolo reported Las Vegas was interviewing Sullivan, who was the Steelers quarterbacks coach the past three seasons.
Sullivan also replaced Matt Canada as Pittsburgh’s offensive play caller for the final eight games of 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders hire Pittsburgh Steelers Assistant DB Coach Gerald Alexander
Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders wrote that Alexander joined the Steelers coaching staff ahead of the 2022 season at the recommendation of fellow former Steelers assistant Brian Flores.
Flores and Alexander developed a relationship while both coached for the Miami Dolphins. Alexander served as the Dolphins defensive backs coach from 2020-21 while Flores was head coach.
Alexander spent five seasons in the NFL as a player. The Detroit Lions selected him at No. 61 overall in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft.
He played two seasons for the Lions. Alexander started all 16 games as a rookie in 2007 but missed a large portion of 2008 because of a knee injury.
The Lions traded Alexander to the Jacksonville Jaguars the following offseason. He started 10 games for the Jaguars in 2009.
Alexander finished his playing career appearing in games with the Jaguars, Dolphins Carolina Panthers, and New York Jets over the next two years.
He now appears to be a rising assistant coach in the league. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Alexander interviewed for the defensive coordinator role with the New England Patriots this offseason.
He will also work with linebackers at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Mike Sullivan Taking Interviews, Could Still Return to Steelers
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that in addition to the Raiders, the New Orleans Saints plan to interview Sullivan for their open offensive coordinator role.
It’s not surprising Sullivan is pursuing other job opportunities. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear in his post-season press conference that Sullivan was not a candidate for Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator role.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported on January 23 that Sullivan will likely not return as quarterbacks coach either “because of the potential awkwardness it could create with a new coordinator.”
Dulac, though, appeared to walk back that report a little on January 25.
“Sullivan could be retained as the team’s quarterback coach because he has a good relationship with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph,” wrote Dulac.
Mason Rudolph is a free agent and isn’t guaranteed to return either. But perhaps Sullivan’s relationship with Kenny Pickett will be enough for him to keep his job regardless of who becomes Steelers offensive coordinator.
Whether Sullivan returns could be completely dependent on whether another team wants to hire him as offensive coordinator.