As Mike Tomlin's meetings with his coaching staff have continued, it's becoming apparent the changes expected by many are not going to come.
Tomlin has let outside linebackers coach Joey Porter and running backs coach James Saxon go. And offensive line coach Mike Munchak is expected to stay after losing out in his attempt to become head coach of the Broncos on Wednesday.
The remainder of his staff — offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, defensive coordinator Keith Butler, special teams coordinator Danny Smith, receivers coach Darryl Drake, tight ends coach James Daniel, assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett, defensive backs coach Tom Bradley, defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky — is expected to return intact barring an unforeseen development.
There has been widespread speculation Tomlin might replace Butler and Smith. But that does not appear to be in the works.
Butler, who has been with the team since 2003 after being hired by Bill Cowher as linebackers coach, was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2015. The Steelers led the league in sacks in each of the past two seasons, but were one of the worst teams in the league at forcing turnovers, creating just 15 in 2018. They finished the season ranked sixth in total defense and tied for 16th in scoring defense.
Smith, meanwhile, oversaw a special teams unit that slipped considerably in 2018 after ranking sixth in weighted overall special teams play in 2017. The Steelers were 27th in that same metric -- which measures all levels of special teams play -- in 2018.
With 10 position coaches, the Steelers have one of the smallest staffs in the league. For example, even after firing head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley during the season, the Browns employed 16 assistant coaches with specific position duties. The Bengals and Ravens both had 17 in 2018.
Part of the reason for that is because Fichtner also served as the Steelers' quarterbacks coach in 2018. The Steelers also employ three coaching assistants -- Denzel Martin, Blaine Stewart and Matt Symmes -- but they have no set duties.
Tomlin could add at least one more full-time position coach to his 2019 staff.
The Steelers went 9-6-1 in 2018, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Tomlin replaced four assistant coaches after the 2017 season because of retirements and firings.