Insider: Steelers' Mike McCarthy Closing In On Hiring His Defensive Coordinator

Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been very curious about what this new era will look like in the Steel City. The news that Mike Tomlin would be stepping away from coaching at the age of 53 has shocked the NFL world. The Steelers have turned to Mike McCarthy, who will become only the fourth head coach in the franchise’s history since 1969.

Now, McCarthy is tasked with building out the remainder of his coaching staff. On Wednesday, he made his first official hire, naming Adam Henry as the Steelers’ wide receivers coach. Apparently, the new head coach is also close to naming his defensive coordinator. The Steelers’ previous defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, was not very popular due to underwhelming results despite having talent such as TJ Watt on the roster.

Many Steelers fans are hopeful that this new coaching staff can get more out of the team’s talent. On Wednesday, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac revealed the name that McCarthy is reportedly close to bringing on as his defensive coordinator. 

"New Steelers coach Mike McCarthy is close to bringing in Patrick Graham as his defensive coordinator, per sources," Dulac said on Wednesday. "Graham, 47, was defensive coordinator the past three seasons with the Raiders. He also served in that role with the Dolphins (2019) and Giants (2020-21)."

The Steelers new head coach appears to be eyeing the former Las Vegas Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham. This news has already sparked intense debate among Steelers fans. Some immediately point out that the Raiders’ defense was far from stellar during the time that Graham was with the team, raising questions about his effectiveness in that role.

Others argue that it is not entirely fair to place all the blame on Graham, noting that the Raiders may not have provided him with adequate support or investment on that side of the football. In other words, the talent and resources available to him may not have allowed his defensive schemes to fully succeed.

Still, many fans and analysts cannot ignore the simple fact that Graham has coached six different defenses over six seasons and has yet to have a team finish with a winning record. Of course, football is a complex game with many factors beyond a single coordinator's control, including injuries, offensive performance, and overall team construction, but the statistic remains a cause for concern.

NFL pundits widely regard Graham as a highly respected defensive mind across the league. He is known for his bend but don’t break philosophy, a style that aligns closely with the approach McCarthy has favored throughout his coaching career. 

Steelers Close To Landing Premier Defensive Coach

Graham is considered a premier defensive coach who has navigated multiple coaching changes while maintaining a strong reputation, and he has even been mentioned at times in head coaching discussions. You do not get your name thrown into those conversations unless you are considered a valuable and influential mind in the NFL.

While the Steelers have not officially hired Graham yet, the fact that someone as well-connected as Dulac is reporting his name is a strong indication of how close McCarthy truly is to naming Graham as his defensive coordinator.

The bottom line is that if McCarthy does decide to hire Graham, the decision is likely to be met with mixed reactions. Even though he is a respected defensive mind in the league, the results speak for themselves. The facts are not lying. His performance in Las Vegas has been inconsistent, and many have questioned the consistency of his defenses at times.

The key difference with the Steelers is that the organization invests heavily in its defense. If Graham is given the right tools and resources, this hire could turn out to be a home run for McCarthy and the team.

Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!