The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 season ended with a profound collapse, and a quick playoff loss, leaving Steeler Nation with plenty of anguish and hunger for change. While many feel that change is required across many facets of the offense, and defense, one unit that performed well in 2024 was the defensive line.
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This unit is led by Defensive Line Coach Karl Dunbar. According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, Dunbar's contract may actually be up.
"Doing a bit of research on Steelers’ staff, and it looks like longtime defensive line coach Karl Dunbar is set to be a free agent when his current deal, which runs through the 2024 season, is up," Pryor posted on X. "Dunbar not only coaches D-linemen like Cam Heyward, but he also works with T.J. Watt."
Dunbar has been with the Steelers for six years, and he's been an NFL coach for 17 seasons. Under Coach Dunbar, TJ Watt has grown into one of the NFL's best, and has frequently been part of the Defensive Player of the Year discussion. Further, Dunbar has overseen Cam Heyward's bounce back season in 2024 in which Heyward earned All-Pro honors.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward runs out of the tunnel at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Steelers experienced a myriad of problems this season, across almost all their units. Defensive line though was probably one of the only high functioning units until it wore down later in the season. While the defense's second and third levels suffered from communication problems, broken coverages, and tackling issues, the men upfront were solid. Regardless of how much change might be desired among other assistant coaches, for instance the offensive line, one has to assume the Steelers want to retain Coach Dunbar -- especially given the production out of Coach Dunbar's unit. The defensive line and outside linebackers combined for 32 sacks, caused 11 forced fumbles, and even snagged one interception during 2024.
Steelers Coaching Changes In 2025 Are Still Uncertain
Many believe the results of the 2024 season require substantial changes, up and down the coaching staff. Given that the Steelers ended the 2024 regular season on a four-game losing streak, and entered the postseason with no positive momentum, it was unsurprising that another first-round playoff loss happened. While the offense had been inconsistent at its best, and totally lacking at times, the disconcerting part of this losing streak was how bad the defense played as a whole.
After the final loss in Baltimore, many questioned whether Head Coach Mike Tomlin should be retained. The Steelers' organization decided to continue with Tomlin, and regardless of how some may feel about that decision, even he agreed that changes were required. Given that the defense collapsed so profoundly during the five-game losing streak, those calling for change concerning Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin have been especially adamant.
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On the Austin issue is where Steeler Nation can glean some insight as to how changes might be implemented. The Steelers and Tomlin have been reluctant to discuss Austin's continued employment, and Tomlin qualified all change discussions by alluding to whether some coaches are in a multi-year contract. Austin was extended for two years during 2024, and this is why some believe Austin will retain his position.
The same logic can be inversed, and should be reason for alarm if Dunbar's contract is in fact concluding. If the Steelers will retain coaches who are under ongoing deals, but might part with coaches who aren't, then Steelers fans should be deeply concerned about Dunbar's status. We can't know to a certainty about his contract or its duration as that information is not public record.
If Dunbar's contract is in fact up, and he's able to enter free agency as a coach, the Steelers should act quickly to retain him. Given that many believe 2025 will be a building campaign where the offense tries to establish an identity, the Steelers need to retain anybody that is working. Coach Dunbar certainly appears to have been one of 2024's only bright spots. If he is entering free agency, the Steelers should extend him for at least two years, to ensure another unsuccessful offensive year doesn't inspire an exodus of defensive talent.
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