PITTSBURGH -- David DeCastro, a Pittsburgh Steelers legend and six-time Pro Bowl guard, has returned to the team as an offensive assistant coach, sources told ESPN on May 14, 2025. The move brings the future Hall of Famer back to Acrisure Stadium, igniting hopes for a revitalized offensive line.
DeCastro, 35, anchored Pittsburgh’s front from 2012 to 2020, earning two All-Pro nods and a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. His 125 starts and 80.5 PFF grade in 2018 cemented his legacy as one of the game’s elite linemen, per Pro Football Reference.
Named to work under Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, DeCastro will focus on coaching the offensive line, mentoring talents like Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones. “I’m home,” he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “This is where I belong.”
DeCastro’s return follows his 2021 retirement after knee and ankle injuries cut short a stellar career. The Steelers, with a $32 million cap space, see his expertise as key to bolstering a line that allowed 38 sacks in 2024, per ESPN.
His coaching debut comes amid a “win-now” push with DK Metcalf, T.J. Watt, and Mike Hilton. DeCastro’s technical prowess—evident in his 2015 All-Pro season protecting Ben Roethlisberger—could elevate an offense ranked 24th in passing yards (186.1 per game), per The Athletic.
Tomlin praised the hire, saying, “David’s a Steeler through and through. His knowledge will shape our front.” DeCastro joins Ryan Shazier, another ex-Steeler turned assistant, signaling a trend of leveraging franchise icons, per Steelers Depot.
Fans on X erupted, with posts like “DeCastro’s back! O-line’s saved!” and “Legend coaching our future!” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted, “DeCastro’s return is a brilliant move, blending legacy with strategy for a Super Bowl run.”
As OTAs loom, DeCastro’s appointment fuels optimism for a dominant offensive line to protect Mason Rudolph or Will Howard. His expertise could pave the way for an AFC North title, etching his name deeper into Steelers lore in 2025.
