The Pittsburgh Steelers have revamped their coaching staff for 2026. They even let go of beloved special teams coordinator, Danny Smith. New head coach Mike McCarthy has built a solid-looking staff thus far. He brought in many former coaches from his time with the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. With this change, some of the Steelers' better coaches had to leave. One former coach even ended up joining the division rival Baltimore Ravens.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Former Steelers running backs coach, Eddie Faulkner during minicamp June 15, 2021.
Former Steelers running backs coach Eddie Faulkner joined the Ravens staff on Tuesday, taking the same role he had in Pittsburgh. Faulkner served two stints in the Steel City, 2012 and 2019-2025. In 2023, the Steelers named Faulkner co-offensive coordinator after the firing of Matt Canada. When the franchise brought in Arthur Smith, Faulkner stuck around. Faulkner has been more than solid as a coach for the Steelers. He got four 1,000-yard seasons out of Najee Harris, helped develop Jaylen Warren, who was an undrafted free agent, and oversaw Kenneth Gainwell as he received the Team MVP Award for 2025. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero broke the news on February 2, 2026, via X that Faulkner would be joining the Ravens staff.
After seven years with the Steelers, running backs coach Eddie Faulkner is expected to take the same job with the AFC North rival Ravens, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 3, 2026
Faulkner molded Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in Pittsburgh. Now, he’ll team up with Derrick Henry. pic.twitter.com/vpxu85S6RM
The Steelers already have a new running backs coach, Ramon Chinyoung. They did not plan to bring Faulkner back. Faulkner going to the Ravens however, is the worst-case scenario for the Steelers and their fans. He had a pretty good track record, as previously mentioned. Now, Faulkner gets to work with a great running back room for the Ravens with the likes of Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell. Faulkner will have the opportunity at at least two revenge games against the Steelers per season moving forward.
Keith Srakocic / AP photo
Steelers' Eddie Faulkner coaching up his running back room during a practice in the Steel City.
The Ravens' rushing attack will now be even scarier with the addition of Faulkner. Henry is already a future Hall of Famer, but Mitchell is a young up-and-comer. Mitchell has battled injuries over his three years in the NFL, but his speed is undeniable. Faulkner could most certainly help Mitchell get over the hump and break out as a future RB1.
Steelers Made A Huge Mistake On This One
The Steelers replaced Faulkner before he signed with the Ravens. They had already decided that Quarterbacks Coach Tom Arth, Inside Linebackers Coach Scott McCurley, and Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander were the only coaches who would return. Alexander ended up leaving anyway to the Minnesota Vikings, but maybe the Steelers should have left more room for Faulkner. Faulkner was one of the Steelers' few bright spots on the coaching staff, not to be replaced by a guy with very little experience.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers Running Backs Coach Eddie Faulkner coaching up Kaleb Johnson during training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Chinyoung has no experience coaching running backs at the NFL level. He served as the Cowboys' assistant offensive line coach and offensive quality control coach. The upside is that Javonte Williams had a career year with Chinyoung on the staff. The Steelers better hope that Chinyoung can get out of Warren, Johnson, and maybe Gainwell what Faulkner did. Otherwise, this could be catastrophic for them.
It's no guarantee that Faulkner would have wanted to come back on his own, but considering he is in the same role now with the Ravens, it was certainly possible. Let's hope that Chinyoung is as good.
What do you think? Was letting Eddie Faulkner walk the right move for the Steelers? Should they have re-signed him instead of letting him join the Baltimore Ravens? Will Chinyoung be able to replicate Faulkner's production in 2026 and beyond? Let us know in the comments below!
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