According to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, the Pittsburgh Steelers have their new defensive coordinator. Wilson is reporting that the Steelers are hiring Patrick Graham to replace Teryl Austin. Graham has been the Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator for the past three seasons. Prior to that he service the same role with the New York Giants for two seasons and the the Miami Dolphins for one season.

Graham coached with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy for one season with the Green Bay Packers. Graham was the Packers linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator in 2018 when McCarthy was the Packers head coach.

#Steelers are officially hiring Patrick Graham, per league source

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 29, 2026

McCarthy said in his introductory press conference he wasn’t planning to switch the Steelers defense from their base 3-4. This has been a standard for Pittsburgh going all the way back to former head coach Bill Cowher. However, looking at Graham’s history, he’s coached primarily base 4-3 defenses as a coordinator.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers hire Patrick Graham to be new defensive coordinator