Mike McCarthy is getting to work putting together his first staff as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers are set to interview Commanders defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons for
their defensive coordinator position, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show.
Simmons has been the defensive pass game coordinator in Washington, D.C. for the past two seasons after two years as a defensive backs/pass game coordinator with the Raiders. The Commanders ranked last in total defense (398.9 yards), 28th in passing yards per game (242.5), and 27th in points (26.5) this season.
Simmons, 49, spent eight seasons in Green Bay with Mike McCarthy from 2011-2018. He spent time as a coaching administrator (2011-2014), assistant special teams coach (2015-17), and secondary coach (2018). He served as the defensive backs coach in 2019, the year after McCarthy was fired, and served on Matt LeFleur’s first coaching staff.
A former defensive back in the NFL for 10 years, the Steelers drafted Simmons in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played 49 games with the Steelers in a reserve role from 1998-2001 before playing his final six seasons in Houston.
Simmons finished his NFL career with 241 tackles, two interceptions, seven forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries in 121 games (12 starts).
