Role: Tight Ends Coach
Previous Role: Tight Ends Coach
Previous Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Age: 40
The Raiders haven’t officially announced the return of Luke Steckel, but the Raiders TE coach has worked with OC Andrew Janocko with the Chicago Bears and his track record with tight end development certainly indicates a good fit with the current system. The 40 year old was named to one of the top 35 assistant coaches to watch in the NFL.
Experience
Steckel spent four seasons at Princeton as a linebacker logging 22 special
teams tackles and following his graduation he worked on the production of Fast & Furious. In 2009, just a year after his graduation Steckel got a chance to work with the Cleveland Browns as their special assistant to the HC from 2009 to 2012, and he held the same role in 2013 with the Titans as well as being the teams assistant RB coach. Steckel remained with the Titans from 2014-2016 as an assistant RB coach in 2014 & 2015, and assistant TE coach in 2016. Steckel was named the Titans assistant WR coach in 2017 and 2018, before being named the teams assistant QB coach in 2019, and back to an assistant WR role in 2020. Steckel earned a full time role in 2021 and 2022 as the Titans tight ends coach and was named the Bears assistant OL coach in 2023. Steckel was then hired in 2024 as the Raiders tight ends coach.
*I won’t be touching on experience more than a decade old, for any of these breakdowns unless it’s a very key thing to note*
Tennessee Titans (2014-2015) – Asst. RB Coach
Steckel transitioned from an assistant to the head coach to Assistant RB coach in 2014, where he worked under former Mississippi State HC and 20 year NFL coach Sylvester Croom (RB Coach), Ohio State OC and former Falcons HC Arthur Smith, and 20 year NFL assistant Jason Michael who recently served as the Eagles TE coach from 2021-2025. The Titans saw Bishop Sankey log 199 attempts, 762 yards, and 3 touchdowns in his two seasons in the NFL (2014-2015) under Steckel and Croom. Additionally, RB Shonn Greene posted 94 attempts, 392 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 2014. The Titans got some production from Antonio Andrews in 2015 who led the team with 520 yards. Overall, the Titans ranked bottom three in rushing for both 2014 and 2015. In 2015 Steckel would work under the same staff but also get the chance to work with current Indiana OL coach Bob Bostad.
Tennessee Titans (2016) – Asst. TE Coach
2016 saw Steckel now work under Arthur Smith directly, who served as the teams TE coach in 2016. In his first season with the assistant TE coach, Steckel and Smith saw Delanie Walker post 65 receptions, 800 yards, and 7 touchdowns ranking near the top of the NFL for TE production. Additionally, TE’s Anthony Fasano was one of the league’s better blockers and Jace Amaro posted 3 receptions, 59 yards, and a touchdown.
Tennessee Titans (2017-2018; 2020) – Asst. WR Coach
In 2017, Steckel would work with Seahawks WR coach Frisman Jackson along with OC Terry Robiskie who spent nearly 3 decades coaching in the NFL. Smith would work under current Panthers WR coach Robert Moore, who replaced Jackson in 2018 and also worked under now Packers HC Matt LaFleur who served as the teams OC. The Titans struggled with consistent production in 2017 at the WR position with Rishard Matthews posting 53 receptions, 795 yards, and four touchdowns while Eric Decker logged 54 receptions, 563 yards, and a touchdown. Rookie Corey Davis turned in 34 receptions, 375 yards, and no touchdowns. Receiver Taywan Taylor also turned in a productive season north of 200 yards as the teams fourth receiver. 2018 saw Corey Davis log 891 yards, four touchdowns, and 65 receptions along with ranking top 15 in separation. Taywan Taylor improved to 466 yards on 37 receptions, and Tajae Sharpe added 316 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 26 receptions.
In 2020, Steckel continued to work under Mike Vrabel, along with OC Arthur Smith who returned to Tennessee. Steckel would also work with Rob Moore again, who served as the teams WR coach. AJ Brown led the team with 70 receptions, 1075 yards, and 11 touchdowns while ranking top 15 in separation, contested catches, and EPA finishing with a Pro Bowl honor. Corey Davis logged 984 yards and five touchdowns on 65 receptions, Adam Humphries turned in 228 yards, and three other receivers posted over 200 yards.
Tennessee Titans (2019) – Asst. QB Coach
Steckel worked with OC Arthur Smith and QB coach Pat O’Hara who’s spent time with the NFL, UFL, and Arena football league. QB Ryan Tannehill turned in a 70% completion rate, 2741 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions while leading the NFL in Yards/Attempt, Yards/Completion, QBR, and finished 1st in Comeback player of the year while finishing as a Pro-Bowler.
Tennessee Titans (2021-2022) – TE Coach
In his first season as TE coach, tight end Anthony Firkser posted 291 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 34 receptions while ranking 14th in EPA at TE. His 291 yards was the 2nd highest mark of his career along with his 34 receptions. Additionally, TE Geoff Swaim posted 210 yards, 34 receptions, and three touchdowns all of which were a career high for the 28 year old. MyCole Pruitt also turned in 14 receptions, 145 yards, and four touchdowns. 2022 saw rookie Chig Okonkwo record 32 receptions, 450 yards, and four touchdowns while earning All-Rookie selection honors and finishing 11th in TE EPA.
Chicago Bears (2023)
Steckel worked with current Raiders OC Andrew Janocko, who served as the Bears QB coach at the time, along with Raiders RB coach Omar Young, and former Raiders OC Luke Getsy. Steckel spent time working under current Broncos OL coach Chris Morgan, who’s also spent 15 years as an NFL OL or assistant OL coach. The Bears OL struggled heavily in 2023, though their run game ranked highly due to the coaching of now Raiders RB coach Omar Young. Darnell Wright allowed 7 sacks and 51 pressures, Braxton Jones 2 sacks & 32 pressures, and Nate Davis a sack and 29 pressures. As a team the Bears allowed 234 pressures and 26 sacks though the team saw development from young selections in Jones, Wright, Jenkins, and Lucas Patrick.
Las Vegas Raiders (2024-2025)
Steckel followed Getsy to Las Vegas in 2024, and it was a good hire for both sides. Rookie Brock Bowers earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while finishing 2nd in rookie of the year voting, and was a all-rookie selection. Bowers turned in 112 receptions, 1194 yards, and five touchdowns leading all NFL TE in yards. Additionally, Bowers finished top three in separation, contested catches, YAC/Reception, and EPA/target at TE. Additionally, Michael Mayer developed as a run blocker while turning in 156 receptions and 21 receptions in 11 games and fellow tight end Harrison Bryant another 86 yards and 9 receptions in 13 games. 2025 saw Steckel remain with Las Vegas despite a new head coach, and Bowers posted 680 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 64 receptions while earning Pro Bowl honors in 12 games. Bowers also ranked top 10 in EPA/target, separation, and contested catches at TE. Michael Mayer did well in Bowers’ absence with 35 receptions, 328 yards, and a score while Ian Thomas, Carter Runyon, and Albert Okwuegbunam also provided quality production and snaps.
Philosophy
Steckel comes from a zone philosophy working with Getsy and Janocko, while also having a power mindest and run centered approach with his experience working under Arthur Smith and Mike Vrabel. Steckel is focused heavily on his TE’s providing exceptional TE production and development especially younger receivers. Steckel’s emphasis on YAC, and blocking has helped see development from Okonkwo, Bowers, and Mayer. Steckel provides the versatility and understanding of a run focused coach as well, given experience working on the OL and his units have consistently developed quality blocking skills.
Players to Watch, Connections:
Steckel has experience working with Bears free agent Braxton Jones, who’s slated to hit the market this 0ff-season and while Jones has experience working solely at left tackle, Las Vegas could be interested to try and see a switch to RT or potentially moving off Miller. Bengals free agent center Lucas Patrick could head to Las Vegas as a backup option with experience under Janocko, Young, and now Steckel. Steckel’s experience largely relies on current Raiders tight ends, and his time working as an assistant has limited his tree with other positions.
