Steelers Could Make A Bold Move And Reunite With A Familiar Coach In The Offseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers are playoff bound yet again after defeating the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 to clinch the AFC North title. The game was a wild show where the teams traded the lead multiple times leading up to the final seconds, with a missed field goal by the Ravens sending the Steelers to the playoffs. There were plenty of issues against the Ravens that the Steelers will need to clean up prior to their playoff game against the Houston Texans on Monday night, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The Steelers' defense will need to rebound from a performance against the Ravens that saw two explosive plays late in the fourth quarter, one of those being a 50-yard touchdown, while the other was a 64-yard touchdown that put the Steelers in a precarious position that nearly lost them the game and the division. If the Steelers can't find a way to defeat the Texans in the playoffs and the loss is particularly ugly, changes could be made within the Steelers' coaching staff -- especially in the case of Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin. Should Austin part ways in the offseason, there are plenty of considerations for who the Steelers could hire to replace him, but one candidate in particular was mentioned that would be a bold move for the Steelers to make.

On the latest episode of the Kaboly & Mack show, hosts Chris Mack and Mark Kaboly discussed the performance of Austin's defense against the Ravens, and also added their voices to the discussions about potential replacements for Austin should he be let go after a disastrous performance in the playoffs. Mack makes a comment that should get the attention of Steelers fans everywhere, especially those who would like to see a familiar face reunite with the team.

"If things don't go well for the Steelers in the playoffs, if it's an ugly one loss and done, Teryl Austin could still be on the chopping block," Mack said. "And I don't know if [Brian] Flores would have interest in coming back here to take over that role, but he seemed to get along well with the organization when he was here."

Reuniting with former Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores would be the most interesting option that the Steelers could pursue in a long line of names that will be under consideration for defensive coordinator in the upcoming offseason. According to Mack, he still has friends within the organization, and should they find themselves having an opening at defensive coordinator after the season concludes, Flores would be an option that would make a lot of sense for the Steelers to hire.

Even with the options out there for the Steelers to consider, including Flores, the Steelers' focus at the moment is not who they should hire for defensive coordinator, seeing as Austin is still employed by the Steelers and that they will be playing in a playoff game on Monday night. This upcoming game will likely spell out the future of the Steelers coaching staff on both sides of the ball, potentially even the head coach position. For now however, the Steelers' focus is on the Texans, and for the Steelers to succeed, they'll need to make a big change on defense from last weekend.

Steelers Need To Tighten Up On Coverages

The Steelers allowed two explosive plays against the Ravens that nearly ended their season. They need to ensure this doesn't happen against the Texans, or else the game could get out of reach quickly, with Mack's words on a future defensive coordinator potentially looming large with a loss. The team will hopefully have a plan to limit these explosive plays and secure their first playoff victory since the 2016 season.

What did you think about Mack's comments regarding Flores as the future Steelers defensive coordinator? Let us know in the comments below.

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