Mike McCarthy has moved swiftly in finding the coach who will lead his defense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are hiring Patrick Graham as their new defensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Friday.
The team officially announced his hiring shortly after.
Graham, 47, spent the past four seasons as the Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator and held the same position with the New York Giants (2020-21) and the Miami Dolphins (2019). He also worked under McCarthy previously, in 2018 as the Green Bay Packers linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator.
In his years of experience, Graham has often used a 3-4 base, which has been a trademark of the Steelers.
Though he's been on Las Vegas squads over the past four years that have struggled mightily, he's a highly respected DC in league circles.
One shining light for the Raiders as of late has been defensive end Maxx Crosby.
With the Steelers, Graham will find a squad flush with pass-rushing talent in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward also remains one of the NFL's top talents at his position.
The Steelers defense was a hallmark of Pittsburgh success during the majority of Mike Tomlin's 19 seasons as head coach. However, last season it ranked just 26th in total defense.
The cupboard is hardly bare with defensive talent, but it'll be up to Graham now to reshape the unit into the impressive form of Pittsburgh autumns past.
