AFC Team Poaches Assistant Coach From Patriots

Robert Kugler is leaving the New England Patriots and joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers announced new head coach Mike McCarthy’s complete staff on Thursday, including Kugler, who served as the Patriots assistant offensive line coach the last two seasons.

The 33-year-old former NFL center will be Pittsburgh’s tight ends coach.

Kugler spent two years as the Carolina Panthers assistant offensive line coach in 2022 and 2023 before joining New England. He held the same role with the Houston Texans in 2021.

Kugler joins fellow former Patriots coach Patrick Graham on McCarthy’s staff.

Graham was a coaching assistant with New England in 2009, before serving as a defensive assistant in 2010. He was the team’s linebackers coach in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and their defensive line coach in 2012 and 2013.

Graham will be the Steelers defensive coordinator.