Williams Praises Steelers Linebackers Coach McCurley
Veteran linebacker Vince Williams credited Scott McCurley for the progress of Pittsburgh's young linebacker group this season.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Steelers linebacker Vince Williams praised linebackers coach Scott McCurley this week on Steelers Blitz on Steelers Nation Radio. McCurley is the only defensive coach remaining from Mike Tomlin's staff under the current regime.
Why it matters
McCurley's continuity offers stability for a linebacker group that has seen significant turnover since the career-ending injury to Ryan Shazier in 2017. His praise from a veteran teammate highlights the value of coaching consistency for a young unit.
Scott McCurley coached inside linebackers for the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024 before returning to Pittsburgh's staff. The comments were made by Vince Williams on Steelers Blitz, and the specific coaching details behind the praise were not outlined.
The players
Scott McCurley
McCurley is the Steelers' linebackers coach and the only remaining defensive coach from Mike Tomlin's staff, with prior stops in Green Bay and Dallas.
Vince Williams
Williams is a former Steelers linebacker known for his long tenure with Pittsburgh's defense and his role as a veteran voice in the locker room.
Payton Wilson
Wilson is a Steelers linebacker selected in the third round of the 2024 Draft who had his best season with the team this year.
Patrick Queen
Queen is a linebacker added by the Steelers in free agency who has enjoyed his best season with Pittsburgh this year.
The details
Williams made the comments on the Steelers Blitz program on Steelers Nation Radio, pointing to McCurley's work with the group. McCurley, a Western Pennsylvania native and University of Pittsburgh graduate, rose through the Green Bay Packers staff under Mike McCarthy before joining Dallas.
Timeline
2017: Ryan Shazier suffers a career-ending spinal cord injury.
2019 Draft: Pittsburgh trades up to select Devin Bush 10th overall.
2020-2024: McCurley serves as inside linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
2024 Draft: Payton Wilson is selected in the third round.
This week: Williams praises McCurley on Steelers Blitz.
Season Trajectory
The rebuilding of Pittsburgh's linebacker corps after Ryan Shazier's 2017 injury has continued through the 2019 selection of Devin Bush and later free-agent additions. Williams' praise suggests the unit's development is now producing its best results under a stable coaching staff.
The Steelers' linebacker rotation and fantasy projections for Wilson and Queen depend on how the young group performs in coming weeks. Fans tracking the defense can monitor each player's snap counts and role within McCurley's scheme.
The takeaway
Coaching continuity can be a quiet driver of improvement for young defensive units. Watching how the Steelers' linebackers develop under McCurley offers a useful example for evaluating position groups across the league.
Further reading
For more on the team's defensive unit, see Football coverage in the Pittsburgh section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Steelers Depot.
