Interesting Stat Indicates Steelers New DC Can Help Improve Their Defense
Despite having one of the highest-paid defenses in the NFL for multiple seasons, the Steelers failed to meet expectations under former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. After Mike Tomlin stepped down in January, the team hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach. McCarthy has been building up his coaching staff in Pittsburgh. He chose former Las Vegas DC Patrick Graham as the new defensive coordinator for the Steelers.
Graham served as defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders from 2022 until 2025. He was able to keep their defense competitive, even though they didn’t have the star power that the Steelers have. Under Graham, the Raiders limited big plays in the passing game. According to Steeler Nation’s lead writer, Anthony G. Halkias II, the Raiders’ defense only allowed 185 big plays from 2022 until 2025, ranking eighth in the NFL. Per Halkias, the Steelers’ defense allowed 218 big plays under Austin, ranking 28th in the league.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor shared additional information about Graham. She stated, “The Raiders ranked 13th in yards allowed.” She also reported, “In his introductory news conference, McCarthy said he wanted the Steelers to remain in a 3-4 defense and build off the foundation already in place. Graham has experience coordinating both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.”
Graham and McCarthy previously worked together in 2018. Graham was the Green Bay Packers' linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator, while McCarthy served as the Packers' head coach from 2006 until 2018. Former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy endorsed Graham during his appearance on the Kaboly + Mack Show on January 31st. He said, “Pat’s extremely brilliant, you know, like crazy smart. The style of defense will really fit what everyone in Pittsburgh is accustomed to. I think it will be a really nice fit. Pat worked for him, for Mike [McCarthy] in Green Bay, I think it was in 2018, so the relationship is already there as well.” Getsy, who was a senior offensive assistant to the Green Bay Packers in 2025 and is now a quarterbacks coach, previously worked with Graham in Las Vegas. Getsy served as offensive coordinator for the Raiders for most of the 2024 season.
Former Steelers DC Teryl Austin struggled with one of the highest-paid defenses in the league, while Graham was able to do more with less. Graham also has a reputation for tailoring his scheme to his talent. He has plenty of talent to work with in Pittsburgh, including Cam Heyward and TJ Watt. It will be interesting to see if Graham can help the Steelers’ defense get back on track in 2026.
