Report: Steelers to hire HOF finalist as assistant coach

FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 08: New Orleans Saints offensive assistant Jahri Evans before a game between the New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints on October 8, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Steelers will be adding a new name to its coaching staff, per report, with CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz posting late Thursday that the Steelers are expected to hire" Saints assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans.

The #Steelers are currently expected to hire #Saints assistant offensive line coach Jahri Evans, sources tell @CBSSports.

Evans, a former star offensive guard for the Saints and a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, has worked for the Saints the last four... pic.twitter.com/jy0jHIaojw

- Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 30, 2026

It's unclear what role the Steelers are targeting Evans for. Pittsburgh reportedly hired James Campen to fill its offensive line coach role Thursday, and also hired Cowboys assistant line coach Ramon Chinyoung for the team's running backs coach position. Evans could simply be making a lateral move as well.

Evans, 42, has coached full-time in the NFL for three seasons, although he was a training camp intern with New Orleans in 2022. In 2025, the Saints ranked 20th in pressure rate allowed and 30th in rushing yards before contact per carry.

Evans is mainly known for his career as a player. He was an NFL offensive guard for 12 years, spending all but one with New Orleans. He made six straight Pro Bowls from 2009-14, also earning four first-team All-Pros and one second-team All-Pro in that span. He won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints, and is currently a finalist for the 2026 Hall of Fame class.

Evans also played one season for the Green Bay Packers in 2017, where his head coach was now-Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy.

Current Saints quarterbacks coach Scott Tolzien, a Steelers offensive coordinator candidate, worked alongside Evans in New Orleans.

Evans also has Pennsylvania connections. He was born in Philadelphia and played college football for the Bloomsburg Huskies.