Steelers Eye Patrick Graham as Defensive Coordinator in Mike McCarthy Era
Mike McCarthy’s new chapter in Pittsburgh is off and running, and the first big piece of the puzzle may soon fall into place. As he begins shaping his coaching staff after taking over for longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, McCarthy is reportedly eyeing a familiar face to lead the defense: Patrick Graham.
Graham is flying into Pittsburgh today to interview for the Steelers’ defensive coordinator role and, according to league sources, he’s viewed as the frontrunner for the job. While nothing is finalized yet, there’s a growing expectation around the league that if today’s meeting goes smoothly, Graham could be the next man in charge of the Steelers' defense.
This wouldn’t be the first time McCarthy and Graham have teamed up. Back in 2018, McCarthy brought Graham on board as the linebackers coach in Green Bay. That one-year stint with the Packers helped launch Graham into a string of defensive coordinator gigs across the league - first with the Dolphins in 2019, then the Giants from 2020 to 2021, and most recently with the Raiders, where he’s been since 2022.
Despite still being under contract in Las Vegas, Graham has been granted permission to explore other opportunities - a sign of the shifting winds in the Raiders organization following Pete Carroll’s exit and what appears to be a looming rebuild.
Graham’s résumé is solid and diverse. In New York, he didn’t just call the defense - he also served as assistant head coach during his two-year stint with the Giants. That added leadership role speaks to the trust he’s earned around the league and the kind of presence he could bring to Pittsburgh’s sideline.
If Graham does land the job, it would mark the end of Teryl Austin’s tenure as defensive coordinator - a role he’s held since 2022. Under Tomlin, the DC position often took a backseat, as the head coach was the one calling the defensive plays.
But that dynamic is changing. McCarthy has already made it clear he’ll be handling offensive play-calling duties himself, meaning the next defensive coordinator will have full control and significant responsibility.
That makes this hire all the more critical. Whoever gets the job won’t just be drawing up blitz packages - they’ll be tasked with maintaining the Steelers’ defensive identity in a post-Tomlin era while adapting to McCarthy’s vision.
Graham, now 47, has been coaching in the NFL since 2009, when he got his start on Bill Belichick’s staff in New England. He worked his way up through the Patriots’ ranks, coaching both the defensive line and linebackers, before making the leap to coordinator roles elsewhere. His coaching roots stretch back even further, with college stops from 2002 to 2008, including a two-year run at Notre Dame that capped off his time in the NCAA ranks.
If today’s interview goes according to plan, Graham could soon be bringing that wealth of experience to Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are looking to usher in a new era without losing the defensive edge that’s long defined the franchise.