The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a new era on special teams. Longtime coordinator Danny Smith has left the team, and the question is whether his replacement, Danny Crossman, can keep up the unit's high level of play.
Smith was widely regarded as one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL. According to data from recent seasons, his kick-blocking unit was among the most effective in the league, consistently generating splash plays that shifted momentum in games. The Steelers often ranked near the top in blocked kicks, a testament to Smith's expertise.
Now, Crossman takes over. He faces the challenge of maintaining that success. While Crossman has experience as a special teams coordinator elsewhere, replicating the kind of elite performance Smith delivered will not be easy. The Steelers will look to see if Crossman can bring his own approach or if the team will lose a key part of its identity.
The transition is one of the more intriguing storylines for Pittsburgh as they prepare for the upcoming season. Special teams often get overlooked, but in a league where games are decided by small margins, a strong unit can be a difference-maker. The Steelers are hoping Crossman can keep the momentum going.