Saints coach Scott Tolzien thrilled for OC interview, but focused on Senior Bowl; Day 3 notes

Scott Tolzien has a major potential opportunity ahead of him, but he's keeping his focus in Mobile, Alabama for now.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have put in a request to interview Tolzien for their offensive coordinator opening under new head coach Mike McCarthy. It would be a dual reunion of sorts if he landed the job, having played for McCarthy with the Packers and worked for him as a member of the Cowboys coaching staff. He spent the last year as the Saints QBs coach under Kellen Moore, and this week was serving as the OC for the American Team at the Senior Bowl.

“Any time you get an opportunity to go interview for one of these it’s a really great growth opportunity, so I’m lucky that I’m in a position that I enjoy where I’m at," Tolzien said. "Things are going really good and yet you always see what’s out there, but my focus right now is on this game."

It doesn't sound as if anything has been scheduled yet, that's to come down the line, and Tolzien wouldn't delve too much into the opportunity itself. It is likely that his work with young QBs Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough this past season played some role in his name emerging in OC conversations, but if he did land with the Steelers he might just be coaching one of the NFL's oldest quarterback in Aaron Rodgers if the 42-year-old decides to keep playing.

Tolzien and Rodgers were teammates previously with the Packers.

"I really haven’t put a whole lot of thought into that, but [it would be] super cool," he said. "I have a ton of respect for Aaron, in my opinion one of the greatest passers that played this game."

Saints GM Mickey Loomis said this week that staff changes would be "unlikely" but that the team was still going through its process. That means not to expect firings and teams can block lateral moves, but that is not the case for promotions. Tolzien said head coach Kellen Moore has been completely supportive of the potential move. The Steelers have also requested an interview with Saints assistant OL coach Jahri Evans.

“[Moore has] been excellent all the way through," Tolzien said. "He’s been a great friend and a mentor for me.”

Tolzien is one of seven Saints coaches or assistants involved in the game's coaching staff, along with Joel Thomas (HC), Peter Sirmon (DC) and Kyle Wilber (special teams coordinator).

NUSS'S STRONG FINISH

Nuss went to Mobile hoping to impress coaches and rebuild his draft stock, and he looked the part to close out the day, driving downfield into field goal range during the final situational session, which replicated a game-winning scenario.

The typically even-keeled Nussmeier was fired up after his final completion to Georgia State WR Ted Hurst, unleashing a yell that could be heard in the far reaches of Hancock Whitney Stadium. The LSU standout has been clearly the best QB in attendance, though the 2026 QB class isn't the strongest we've seen.

HILTON'S LATE ARRIVAL

Chris Hilton won't shy away from the facts: Neither he nor his LSU squad had the season anyone hoped in 2025. That's why he's entered 2026 with the goal of doing everything he can to show NFL scouts he's up for the next challenge.

The Senior Bowl marks his fourth All Star event of the offseason already, and he arrived Wednesday fresh off his participation in the East-West Shrine Bowl. He wasted no time making his presence known on the speed leaderboard and with a few impressive reps in 1-on-1s.

“You’ve got one shot. That’s kind of been my motto, along with God’s got this in 2026," Hilton told me. "So I didn’t have the season I wanted to, so not only these two, but all four of them. … Just competing at all four, that was the main goal.”

BUD'S HOMECOMING?

To say Bud Clark was all over the field would be an understatement. He had multiple interceptions over the three days of practices and would've laid several hard hits on pass-catchers if he'd had permission to make them.

The TCU standout and Louisiana native says he feels comfortable at both safety spots and nickel corner. He also grew up a Saints fan, where he'd be thrilled to land in the draft.

“It’d be something perfect for me," he said. "My family would be right down the street and I think that would be good for me, for sure.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: Image via Saints