After two campaigns in Foxborough, Robert Kugler will join the AFC North.
The former New England Patriots assistant has been named the next Pittsburgh Steelers tight ends coach under head coach Mike McCarthy, the organization announcement THURSDAY.
Kugler marks the first known departure from the coaching staff of the reigning AFC champions. The 33-year-old was hired by the Patriots as an assistant offensive line coach in 2024. And after Jerod Mayo’s only campaign at the helm, he was retained last February by the possible AP NFL Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel will oversee the starting five alongside veteran coach Doug Marrone and fellow assistant Jason Houghtaling.
Advertisement
New England’s offense finished the 2025 regular season ranked third in the league in total offense, including fourth in passing and sixth in rushing. Quarterback Drake Maye was sacked 48 times during that span before being removed from the wild card an additional 21 times until Super Bowl LX.
Before coming to Gillette Stadium, Kugler worked with the Carolina Panthers offensive line for two campaigns after initially joining the NFL ranks as the Houston Texans in 2021. He made collegiate coaching stops at UTEP, Washington and Appalachian State.
Playing football at North Allegheny High School while his father, Sean, oversaw the Steelers’ offensive line, Kugler later served as a two-time captain at Purdue. The move from tight end to center has started 43 consecutive games for the Boilermakers.
He spent training camp with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie in 2016.
