Head Coach Mike Tomlin announced that the Pittsburgh Steelers will implement significant changes across the organization, including adjustments to the coaching staff. Initially, fans expected Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin to be dismissed and replaced this week. However, it’s been nearly a week since the team’s Wild Card Round defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, and no moves have occurred. Austin is under contract for another year, so the team may opt to retain him for now, though new personnel still need to be brought onto the coaching staff.
The performance of Pittsburgh’s defense deteriorated significantly during the second half of the 2024 regular season, a trend that continued into the playoffs. Despite being part of the league’s highest-paid defense, T.J. Watt and the defensive line made little impact on the field. In their last two games, including the playoff loss, Watt failed to record any tackles or statistics, a clear sign of poor coaching. The Ravens rushed for nearly 300 yards against the Steelers in their playoff game, a record-setting low for the defense.
Concerns about the defensive strategy and play-calling emerged during the middle of the season, particularly after a devastating loss to the Cleveland Browns. This defeat marked the beginning of a rough patch for the Steelers’ defense. At one point, the Steelers had a comfortable lead in the AFC North, with Watt being a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year, but his chances for a second award now seem slim.
It’s clear that Pittsburgh requires fresh leadership on the coaching staff to maximize the defense’s potential. Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently suggested possible candidates on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan to assist Austin and the defense, should the team choose to retain him.
“Could they bring in someone like they did with Brian Flores a couple of years back? I’m just mentioning a few names because I know these guys are available,” Fittipaldo shared on Friday. “For example, hiring Lou Anarumo from the Bengals as a defensive consultant, or reaching out to Robert Saleh, formerly with the Jets, who was a solid defensive coordinator with the 49ers. They certainly could use some new perspectives to reassess their approach.”
The New York Jets dismissed head coach Robert Saleh just five games into the 2024 season, which raised eyebrows across the league. Saleh had a four-year tenure with the Jets after serving as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. He is regarded as a strong defensive strategist in the NFL, and his expertise could be invaluable to the Steelers.
Lou Anarumo is another viable candidate for the Steelers. After spending six seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator, he was let go following a disappointing 2024 season characterized by poor pass defense. Nonetheless, Anarumo effectively maximized the talent of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks.
Prior to his promotion to coordinator, Austin primarily focused on coaching the secondary. Bringing in Anarumo could allow Austin to concentrate on addressing the passing defense issues while helping Watt and the defensive line improve their strategies.
