Steelers' Arthur Smith And Teryl Austin's Level Of Control Is Truly Revealed

The Pittsburgh Steelers laid a massive egg in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football. They got outscored 28-9 in the second half against the Green Bay Packers, partially due to poor coaching. The play-calling and schematics on both sides of the football were highly questionable, and the execution was equally as bad, especially defensively. Many fans have been calling for Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin to be fired with how bad the defense has been in 2025 (and towards the end of 2024). Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith has done well overall, but Sunday was arguably one of his worst games of the season. 

A conversation that keeps coming up after bad losses is how much control either coordinator truly has, as Head Coach Mike Tomlin is known for micro-managing his coaches. While making an appearance on Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show, insider Gerry Dulac broke down exactly what happens with the X's and O's surrounding all three coaches.

"[Teryl Austin] is calling some of the plays, that is correct. I would say he calls the majority of the plays, but he does not call all the plays," Dulac said. "He's only doing -- even like with Arthur Smith. Arthur Smith calls the plays; he makes the gameplan, but he makes the gameplan under Mike Tomlin's umbrella: the way they want to approach a game."

Sure, Smith and Austin are calling the plays for their respective units, but they don't have free reign to do what they want to. Both the defensive and offensive gameplans normally fall under an overarching approach -- directed by Tomlin and something that has been in Pittsburgh's DNA for decades. The Steelers want to both establish the run on offense, and stop it consistently on defense, allowing their pass rushers to get more involved in obvious passing situations for the opponent. 

Previously, former Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler admitted that Tomlin ran the defense, even though he was the one calling out the plays. Based on what he said, that started somewhere around 2013. That continues to be true, as reports have come out that Austin does not actually control the defense every time the team plays poorly. Numerous coaches are involved in the game planning, Austin calls the majority of the plays, but it's Tomlin's overall strategy throughout each game.

In the 2025 offseason, it also came out that the head coach had Smith "dial it back" at times early on and do less of what he wanted to. This was reported by insider Mark Kaboly. The second-year Steelers coordinator in Smith is seen as one of the most respected offensive minds in the NFL currently, yet he may have had some limitations from Tomlin. Since that report came out, things seem to be much smoother overall -- at least on offense.

Tomlin's main strength has always been with player relations. It's unclear whether he is too scared, too stubborn, or too prideful to relent these controls and allow his coordinators to have more freedom in what they call. Smith is great offensive mind, and Aaron Rodgers thrives in the middle of the field. Play-calling on both sides of the ball for Pittsburgh will absolutely continue to be under a microscope for the remainder of the 2025 season. 

Steelers Fans Might Get More Of The Same Even If Austin Leaves

It's clear that Tomlin has no plans of giving up control anytime soon. Many fans want Austin fired, but that likely won't happen midseason. The most likely scenario is that his contract expires, and he gets let go as a scapegoat. Regardless, the Steelers need an immediate fix, both in coaching and execution, but those answers are still in question.

What do you think about Smith and Austin's current level of control? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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