The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to part ways with former offensive coordinator Todd Haley has been a topic of discussion for years. While Haley’s departure was initially seen as a mutual decision, new information has come to light regarding the financial implications of his exit.
According to NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala, Haley made a “significantly greater amount of money” by leaving Pittsburgh for Cleveland. This revelation raises questions about the motivations behind Haley’s departure and whether the Steelers could have done more to retain his services.
Haley, who served as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2017, left Pittsburgh after a tumultuous season marked by disagreements with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He went on to become the Cleveland Browns’ offensive coordinator, a position he held from 2018 to 2019.
While the exact figures of Haley’s contracts with both teams are not publicly known, Kinkhabwala’s report suggests that Haley received a substantial pay increase by joining the Browns. This could have been a major factor in his decision to leave Pittsburgh, despite having a successful tenure with the Steelers.
The Steelers have since moved on from Haley, hiring Randy Fichtner as their new offensive coordinator. However, the team’s offense has struggled to replicate the same level of success it enjoyed during Haley’s tenure.
As the Steelers look to revamp their offense in the coming season, the news about Haley’s lucrative exit deal serves as a reminder of the challenges teams face in retaining top coaching talent in the NFL.
