Could Steelers reunite with Hines Ward after latest vacancy?

More changes are coming to the Steelers offensive coaching staff following the addition of Arthur Smith as the team's new offensive coordinator last week. 

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac, the Steelers are parting ways with wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson, who's held the role for the past two seasons after replacing Ike Hilliard. Following Pittsburgh's latest vacancy, could it reunite with former WR Hines Ward?

Jackson oversaw a highly criticized wide receiver room highlighted by George Pickens and Diontae Johnson. Although the two combined for 114 receptions for 1,857 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023, they displayed a lack of effort on several occasions.

Pittsburgh is clearly looking to diminish those distractions, which sometimes developed into very public sideline interactions, with a change in coaching.

One name to watch is Ward, who played for the Steelers from 1998-2011. He was also an offensive intern with the team in 2017 before serving as a Jets offensive assistant from 2019-20.

Ward has somewhat struggled to move up the coaching ranks in recent years, acting as Florida Atlantic's wide receivers coach in 2021 and the XFL's San Antonio Brahmas head coach in 2023.

However, it is difficult to argue against Ward's familiarity with Pittsburgh and the change of mindset he could bring to the team.

Ward finished his career as the Steelers all-time leader in catches (1,000), receiving yards (12,083) and receiving touchdowns (85). But maybe more importantly, the two-time Super Bowl champion was one of the best blocking wide receivers in NFL history.

Head coach Mike Tomlin has publicly supported Ward in his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So, it would be surprising if he wouldn't be open to a reunion.

"Hines was a football player first and a receiver second," Tomlin said, via Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports. "I used to say that to describe him all the time because of just the ridiculous consistency of his toughness in the passing game, in the running game, running the football or after the catch or blocking."

Pittsburgh loves having ties with former players. Ward certainly fits the bill and could help remove the "diva" traits in the Steelers wide receiver room.