Mike Tomlin made a second firing on his staff Monday, announcing he will not be renewing the contract of running backs coach James Saxon.
Saxon just completed his fifth season with the Steelers after joining the team in 2014.
"I have made the decision to not renew the contract for running backs coach James Saxon," Tomlin said in a release. "We would like to thank James for his efforts over the past five years, and we wish him the best in his future coaching endeavors."
The move comes as something of a surprise.
Under the direction of Saxon, 52, Le'Veon Bell became a 1,000-yard rusher, breaking out in Saxon's first season in 2014. The team also has gotten 100-yard rushing games from DeAngelo Williams, James Conner and Jaylen Samuels during that time period.
Saxon has coached in the NFL since 2000, after an eight-year career with Kansas City, Miami and Philadelphia.
Saxon joins outside linebackers coach Joey Porter as 2018 coaches looking for new jobs after the Steelers completed a 9-6-1 season that saw them miss the postseason.
