Luke Steckel enters his first season as tight ends coach with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024.
He joins the Silver and Black after spending one season as the assistant offensive line coach with the Chicago Bears. In 2023, Steckel worked with an offensive line that paved the way for a rushing attack that ranked second in the NFL in rushing attempts (534), rushing yards (2,399) and rushing yards per game (141.1). The Bears also ranked tied for first in big plays rushing (10+ yards) with 74, fifth in rushing first downs (137) and sixth in yards per carry (4.49). With Steckel's guidance, first round draft pick Darnell Wright started in all 17 games at right tackle and was named First Team All-Rookie by the Pro Football Writers of America.
Prior to joining the Bears, Steckel spent 10 seasons with the Tennessee Titans in multiple roles. In 2022, he completed his second season as tight ends coach and helped TE Chig Okonkwo lead all rookie tight ends in the NFL in receiving yards (450) and receiving touchdowns (three), earning PFWA All-Rookie honors. Steckel also worked with TE Austin Hooper, helping him finish second on the team in receptions (41) and receiving yards (444).
In 2021, Steckel was promoted to tight ends coach following three years as an offensive assistant. Under his guidance, TE Geoff Swaim set career highs in receptions (31) and touchdowns (three), while TE MyCole Pruitt recorded then-career bests in catches (14), receiving yards (145) and touchdowns (three). The tight ends combined for eight of the team's 22 receiving touchdowns and helped the offense rank fifth in the NFL in rushing (141.4 yards per game).
In 2020, Steckel was part of an offensive staff that helped the Titans rank second in total offense (396.4 yards per game), second in rushing (168.1) and third in scoring (30.7 points per game). He continued his work with the wide receivers, helping WR A.J. Brown earn his first career Pro Bowl honor after recording 70 receptions for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also coached WR Corey Davis to a career-high 984 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
In 2019, Steckel helped QB Ryan Tannehill register an NFL-best 117.5 passer rating, a 70.3 completion percentage, an NFL-high 9.6 yards per attempt and 22 touchdowns – all career highs – en route to being named Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year. The Titans' offense ranked fourth in the league in yards per play (6.12) and first in red zone efficiency (75.6 percent).
In 2018, Steckel began his second stint as an offensive assistant, working with second year WR Davis who led the offense with 65 receptions for 891 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
In 2017, he was promoted to assistant wide receivers coach and helped WR Eric Decker finish second on the team with 54 receptions and 563 receiving yards. WR Rishard Matthews finished with 53 catches for 795 receiving yards and a team-high four receiving touchdowns.
From 2014-16, Steckel served as an offensive assistant and worked primarily with the tight ends and running backs positions.
In 2016, Steckel assisted the tight ends group and helped TE Delanie Walker earn his second Pro Bowl honor after recording a team-high 65 receptions for 800 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. The run-blocking by the tight end group also played a key role in the success of the Titans run game, which ranked third in the NFL and saw RB DeMarco Murray lead the AFC in rushing yards (1,287).
In 2015, Steckel coached RB Dexter McCluster, who was the only player in the NFL that season, and the first player since Darren Sproles in 2011, to record 200-plus receiving yards, 200-plus rushing yards, 200-plus yards on kickoff returns and 200-plus yards on punt returns. McCluster is 1-of-23 players to accomplish the feat in a single season in NFL history.
In 2014, Steckel helped with the development of rookie RB Bishop Sankey who played in all 16 games and led the team with 551 rushing yards with two touchdowns. In his first year with the Titans in 2013, he served as the assistant to the head coach.
Prior to Tennessee, Steckel spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns as the assistant to the head coach, where he handled a variety of duties for the head coach and coaching staff.
PERSONAL: Born in Boston, Ma., Steckel played linebacker at Princeton (2003-06)…As a senior, he served as a team captain and led the Tigers to a 9-1 record and Ivy League Championship…Graduated with a degree in political economy…Attended Brentwood (Tenn.) High School, where he earned all-region and all-Midstate honors as a senior middle linebacker and helped win the 5A State Championship…His father, Les Steckel, was a football coach in the NFL from 1978 to 2003…Steckel is married to his wife, Lindsay.
