The Pittsburgh Steelers are making wholesale coaching changes for the 2026 season. There is a new head coach in town, in former Super Bowl champion Mike McCarthy. McCarthy is building a solid staff so far, as he brought in respected offensive line coach James Campen, who coached under McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers. He also hired Jahri Evans as an assistant offensive line coach, who has been a Hall of Fame finalist. McCarthy is clearly set on fixing the Steelers' offense, but his most crucial hire may be on the defensive side of the ball, as he brought in a respected defensive coordinator in Patrick Graham.
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Patrick Graham, during his time as the defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Graham coached under McCarthy in Green Bay for one season in 2018, serving as the team's linebackers coach and pass game coordinator. He's since been the defensive coordinator for three teams: the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Miami Dolphins. Graham's track record as a defensive coordinator isn't stellar by any means. He's had a top-10 scoring defense just twice in his career as a defensive coordinator.
Graham's defenses have been devoid of talent. The only notable player he's had the last three seasons is Maxx Crosby. CBS Sports ranked all of the latest coordinator moves from this offseason. The Steelers and Graham received a promising grade that should leave Steelers' fans optimistic. They received a B+ for the move.
"As an offensive-minded coach, it was important for Mike McCarthy to find an experienced defensive coordinator to lead the Steelers' defense. He was able to do that by hiring the 47-year-old Graham, who has already served as a defensive coordinator for the Dolphins, Giants and Raiders," Bryan DeNardo wrote.
The franchise brought Graham in to keep the traditional 3-4 scheme. The scheme they've run since the 90s.
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Former Green Bay Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy stands on the sideline with his headset on as his old team participates in a professional football game.
Graham is beloved by players around the league. During his time with the Raiders, he went through three different head coaches; all of which kept Graham on the staff. He also spent five seasons under six-time Super Bowl Champion Bill Belichick.
Graham fits well with what the Steelers want to do: stop the run. The Raiders ranked 17th in run defense last season despite having the worst record in the NFL. They were also 14th in pass defense. This move is seen as a great fit around the league.
Graham has never really had the talent, but that will change in Pittsburgh. He will have an elite shutdown corner in Joey Porter Jr. All of the talent in the world on the edge. The defensive line is also rock solid for the Steelers. While they still need pieces in the secondary, this will be by far Graham's most talented defense. But Graham still faces challenges in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Need More Out Of Patrick Queen
The Steelers signed former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen in the 2024 offseason. They inked Queen to a three-year $45,000,000 contract. Queen has not lived up to his end of the deal. He has been very inconsistent and a complete liability in coverage.
In two straight seasons, he's allowed a passer rating above 100. Entering the last year of his deal, Queen has been mentioned as a potential cut candidate for the Steelers. Now that there is a new defensive coordinator, this could change.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is coaching up linebacker Patrick Queen during the 2025 NFL season.
Queen has publicly criticized the Steelers' schematics in the past. Graham will keep the traditional 3-4 scheme with the Steelers. But now it's put up or shut up for Queen. He must be able to find some success under Graham and deliver a return on the Steelers' investment.
Graham has gotten better players out of lesser players. If he cannot get anything out of Queen, he will likely hit the open market again. Queen is a former All-Pro; he's proven he can be a good player. But now he has to prove it again.
What do you think? Is Graham the Steelers' best hire? Let us know in the comments below!
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