The Pittsburgh Steelers have a nearly brand-new coaching staff heading into 2026. New head coach Mike McCarthy retained two assistants from Mike Tomlin’s staff in quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and linebackers coach Scott McCurley. The remainder of the staff is new to the Steelers, which includes defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who sat down with Missi Matthews to discuss why he decided to come to Pittsburgh.
“It starts with Mike [McCarthy] and just knowing Mike from our time in Green Bay,” Graham
said. “Just how much I admired him throughout my career, being a young coach, and the respect I have for him.”
Graham then cited the tradition of the Steelers as a big factor as to why he wanted to be their next defensive coordinator.
“The tradition of the Steelers,” Graham said. “As a defensive coach, to be able to come here and to try to earn our place in that tradition is really near and dear to my heart, and I don’t take it lightly. I’m very fortunate to be in that situation…”
Graham has had several stops in his coaching journey, most recently as the defensive coordinator of the Las Vegas Raiders. He had a six-year stint with the New England Patriots from 2009-15, holding several different titles during his time under Bill Belichick. He coached under McCarthy for one season in Green Bay in 2018, serving as the linebackers coach and run-game coordinator.
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