- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,514
- Reaction score
- 59
The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing an unexpected coaching change before the start of training camp.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers and senior special teams coach Derius Swinton II have parted ways following a violation of club policy. The move comes only months after Pittsburgh hired Swinton to join its coaching staff for the 2026 season.
Swinton was set to begin his first season with the Steelers and his 16th campaign in the NFL. While details regarding the policy violation were not immediately disclosed, the departure creates a vacancy on Pittsburgh's special teams staff as the organization prepares for a pivotal season in the AFC North. The Steelers hired Swinton after a three-year stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he developed a reputation as one of the league's more experienced special teams coaches.
His final season in Las Vegas proved particularly notable. After special teams coordinator Tom McMahon was relieved of his duties during the 2025 season, Swinton stepped into the role on an interim basis and helped stabilize the unit. Under his guidance, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg led the Raiders with 21 special teams tackles and ranked among the NFL's most productive special teams performers. Swinton's coaching résumé spans nearly two decades and includes stops throughout the league.
Before joining the Raiders, he served as the Los Angeles Chargers' special teams coordinator in 2021. During his lone season in that role, the Chargers showed significant improvement in both the kicking and return game. Los Angeles improved from 29th in field-goal percentage in 2020 to ninth in 2021, aided by the midseason addition of kicker Dustin Hopkins.
Swinton's NFL experience also includes time with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Rams.
His work with the Bears produced one of the league's better punt return units in 2017, while his season as special teams coordinator in San Francisco helped improve the 49ers' kickoff coverage dramatically. Earlier in his career, Swinton worked as a special-teams quality-control coach for both the Rams and the Chiefs.
The veteran coach also gained offensive experience during a stint as an offensive assistant with Detroit in 2018 before returning to special teams roles.
The departure leaves Pittsburgh searching for a replacement at a time when continuity is often valued in the offseason. Special teams can be particularly impacted by coaching transitions, given the importance of scheme, communication, and player development throughout training camp and the preseason.
For the Steelers, the move represents an unexpected distraction as they continue preparations for the 2026 season.
For the rest of the AFC North, it is another notable offseason development involving one of Baltimore's primary division rivals. Whether Pittsburgh fills the position internally or looks outside the organization remains to be seen, but the Steelers will now move forward without a coach who brought extensive NFL experience and a track record of success across multiple franchises.
Training camp is still weeks away, but Pittsburgh's coaching staff already looks different from the way it did when the offseason began.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Steelers part ways with veteran coach before 2026 season starts
Continue reading...
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers and senior special teams coach Derius Swinton II have parted ways following a violation of club policy. The move comes only months after Pittsburgh hired Swinton to join its coaching staff for the 2026 season.
Swinton was set to begin his first season with the Steelers and his 16th campaign in the NFL. While details regarding the policy violation were not immediately disclosed, the departure creates a vacancy on Pittsburgh's special teams staff as the organization prepares for a pivotal season in the AFC North. The Steelers hired Swinton after a three-year stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he developed a reputation as one of the league's more experienced special teams coaches.
His final season in Las Vegas proved particularly notable. After special teams coordinator Tom McMahon was relieved of his duties during the 2025 season, Swinton stepped into the role on an interim basis and helped stabilize the unit. Under his guidance, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg led the Raiders with 21 special teams tackles and ranked among the NFL's most productive special teams performers. Swinton's coaching résumé spans nearly two decades and includes stops throughout the league.
Before joining the Raiders, he served as the Los Angeles Chargers' special teams coordinator in 2021. During his lone season in that role, the Chargers showed significant improvement in both the kicking and return game. Los Angeles improved from 29th in field-goal percentage in 2020 to ninth in 2021, aided by the midseason addition of kicker Dustin Hopkins.
Swinton's NFL experience also includes time with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Rams.
His work with the Bears produced one of the league's better punt return units in 2017, while his season as special teams coordinator in San Francisco helped improve the 49ers' kickoff coverage dramatically. Earlier in his career, Swinton worked as a special-teams quality-control coach for both the Rams and the Chiefs.
The veteran coach also gained offensive experience during a stint as an offensive assistant with Detroit in 2018 before returning to special teams roles.
The departure leaves Pittsburgh searching for a replacement at a time when continuity is often valued in the offseason. Special teams can be particularly impacted by coaching transitions, given the importance of scheme, communication, and player development throughout training camp and the preseason.
For the Steelers, the move represents an unexpected distraction as they continue preparations for the 2026 season.
For the rest of the AFC North, it is another notable offseason development involving one of Baltimore's primary division rivals. Whether Pittsburgh fills the position internally or looks outside the organization remains to be seen, but the Steelers will now move forward without a coach who brought extensive NFL experience and a track record of success across multiple franchises.
Training camp is still weeks away, but Pittsburgh's coaching staff already looks different from the way it did when the offseason began.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Steelers part ways with veteran coach before 2026 season starts
Continue reading...
