On 1st day of meetings led by Eddie Faulkner, Steelers offense presses forward

Chris Adamski
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 5:09 p.m. | Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 5:09 p.m.

Go Ad-Free Today!

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Shown leading a drill during a minicamp session in June, Eddie Faulkner on Wednesday spent his first full day as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Shown leading a drill during a minicamp session in June, Mike Sullivan on Wednesday went through practice not just as quarterbacks coach but in his first full day since it was announced he would call plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Like during nine of the previous 11 Wednesdays before it (not counting their Thursday night game or the bye week), this particular Wednesday featured a full offensive meeting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This particular one, though, differed from all the others — and not because it was Thanksgiving Eve.

New coordinator Eddie Faulkner was in charge, taking over those duties a day after Matt Canada was fired from that position.

“Just in one day with ‘Faulk’ today as the lead man,” veteran center Mason Cole said Wednesday, “it was good to see the leadership. And I am looking forward to more of it.”

While Steelers offensive players across the locker room expressed regret in their role in Canada’s fate, they likewise displayed a palpable excitement at what Faulkner and new play-caller Mike Sullivan might accomplish running the Steelers offense over the final seven games of the season.

Sullivan is the Steelers’ quarterbacks coach and Faulkner will continue to hold duties coaching the running backs.

“(Sullivan) is very positive. He’s a great guy. He definitely knows football,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “He’s been around the league a little bit, and I am excited to see how he calls a game.

“Eddie, he’s a very inspiring guy. He gets the guys going. He’s a good guy to be around, and he’s definitely been one of the leaders on our offense.”

Faulkner, 46, has been with the Steelers since 2019. The 56-year-old Sullivan joined the staff two years later. He previously has called plays for four NFL seasons, two each for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants.

“He’s cool,” veteran receiver Allen Robinson said of Sullivan, “as far as being able to educate us on what’s going on, being able to keep communication open and things like that.”

As receiver Diontae Johnson said, “obviously” some aspects of meetings and practice were different Wednesday than they had been over the past 2 ½ seasons with Canada in charge. Though he wouldn’t go into detail, Johnson said the players are behind their new leadership on offense.

“We have ‘Coach T’ (Mike Tomlin) who got ‘Sully’ and ‘Coach Faulk’ right now running the show,” Johnson said. “We are all in with those guys moving forward.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.