Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Builds Early Bond with Bill Cowher — A Relationship Already Paying Dividends
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ historic decision to bring back legendary former head coach Bill Cowher as a Co-Senior Coaching Advisor in 2025 is already bearing fruit — and in an unexpected way. One of the team’s most promising rookies, linebacker Jaylen Whitaker, has formed a strong bond with Cowher, a relationship that insiders say is fast becoming one of the most significant behind-the-scenes developments at Steelers training camp.
While Whitaker was already turning heads with his raw athleticism and instinctive play, his connection with Cowher — himself a former NFL linebacker before becoming one of the league’s most respected head coaches — has accelerated his development in remarkable fashion.
A Rookie With Potential and the Right Mentor
Jaylen Whitaker, a second-round draft pick out of LSU, entered the 2025 offseason as a highly regarded but somewhat raw talent. Known for his speed, sideline-to-sideline range, and toughness, Whitaker was viewed as a player with a high ceiling but in need of polish and refinement to become a full-time starter in the NFL.
Enter Bill Cowher — a former linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns in the 1980s who rose to fame as the no-nonsense, defensive-minded coach of the Steelers from 1992 to 2006. Since rejoining the Steelers in an advisory role this offseason, Cowher has taken Whitaker under his wing in what many are calling a “natural mentorship.”
“It’s rare to find a young guy who wants to soak everything in the way Jaylen does,” Cowher said during minicamp. “He asks the right questions, studies the film hard, and listens to the little things — body position, leverage, reading quarterback eyes. He reminds me of the old-school guys I used to coach.”
A Match Made on the Practice Field
During OTA sessions and early training camp practices, Cowher has been seen spending extended time with Whitaker on and off the field — often pulling him aside to discuss technique, positioning, and mental aspects of the game that don’t always show up on film.
“Coach Cowher’s been incredible,” Whitaker said after a recent practice. “To have someone like him — a Hall of Famer, a former linebacker, and someone who truly understands Steelers football — take time to coach me up? I couldn’t ask for a better situation.”
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has taken note of the mentorship and says the relationship is having a measurable impact.
“Jaylen’s football IQ has jumped significantly in just a few weeks,” Austin said. “You can see it in how he diagnoses plays, in how he’s using his hands, and even how he’s communicating with the veterans. That’s Bill Cowher’s influence right there.”
Steelers Culture, Passed Down the Line
What makes the Cowher–Whitaker bond so powerful is that it represents more than just veteran advice — it’s