The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has long been the ethos of the team, but that hasn’t been the case over the last couple of seasons. Despite carrying one of the most expensive defensive rosters in the NFL, an area where the Steelers’ brass invested heavily, the unit consistently fell short of expectations. For a franchise built on physicality, discipline, and dominance on that side of the ball, the recent decline felt jarring and uncharacteristic.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin smiles on the field as the players get a workout in during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Under former defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, the Steelers simply did not get the return on their investment. Austin had elite, game changing talent at his disposal in TJ Watt and Cam Heyward, along with capable playmakers and quality depth at key positions across multiple seasons. On paper, the defense had everything it needed to succeed, but on the field it rarely imposed its will or delivered consistently at a championship level.
Now, with new head coach, Mike McCarthy, bringing in Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator, there is a sense that a real course correction is underway. An article by Mike DeFabo and Dianna Russini in The Athletic laid out exactly why this hire matters and why it should energize Steeler Nation. Graham’s reputation for adaptability, accountability, and maximizing player strengths signals a return to defensive football that actually reflects the Steelers’ identity and restores optimism around the unit.
"Graham is known for adapting his scheme to fit his personnel. For example, while he’s been a 3-4 defensive coordinator at many stops, he deployed mostly a four-down front in Vegas because he felt it maximized star edge rusher Maxx Crosby."
Similar to superstar pass rusher of the Las Vegas Raiders, Maxx Crosby, his former defensive coordinator was willing to adapt the scheme into something he was not traditionally comfortable running.
Benjamin Hager / Las Vegas Review-Journal
Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby tries to rush the quarterback in Pittsburgh.
That flexibility was done to better maximize Crosby’s impact and allowed him to flourish as a disruptive, game changing force. Graham was able to maximize Crosby, despite not having a ton of talent around him. That's telling.
"Graham’s defensive philosophy is malleable, modern and shaped by several mentors. From [Bill] Belichick, Graham learned to make the offense beat them with their off-hand so to speak, meaning take away their greatest strength and force the offense to do something different. During his stop with the Giants, Graham picked up on [Steve] Spagnuolo’s exotic pressure packages. In Green Bay in 2017 under Mike Pettine, Graham expanded his Cover 4 (or quarters) playbook, an approach that’s gained popularity across the league in recent years. More recently, Graham has ventured into the simulated-pressure realm — a tactic in which a defense rushes only four defenders while dropping others (often defensive linemen or linebackers) to create the illusion of pressure without compromising coverage integrity."
Steelers' Patrick Graham Will Come Ready To Take Risks
While the Steelers have traditionally operated out of a 3–4 base defense, this example highlights how Graham may arrive in the Steel City prepared to innovate rather than rigidly stick to tradition. His willingness to adjust concepts, take calculated risks, and build the scheme around his best players suggests a defensive approach that could unlock the full potential of Pittsburgh’s elite talent.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Outside linebackers Nick Herbig (left) and TJ Watt (right) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
McCarthy made it clear he wants to remain in a 3–4 defense and build off that foundation. Graham has the ability to coach both 3–4 and 4–3 fronts, while also incorporating simulated blitzes and creative pressure packages. Graham did not have significant investment in his defensive unit in Las Vegas, but in Pittsburgh that will not be the case, giving this hire legitimate home run potential. Steelers fans may finally get to see their beloved team return to the Steeler Way, built on physical, smash mouth defense under Graham.
Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
#SteelerNation