The Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff came under heavy criticism during the 2022 season. Matt Canada has been ripped by everybody from the NFL Network’s Steve Smith to every Tom, Dick and Harry in the fan base. The dissent about the offense is real and Mike Tomlin may be content with the direction, but the fans are not. Fans hope they are wrong about Canada’s third year as the offensive coordinator for the sake of the team, but they are not confident.
Associated Press
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin
Teryl Austin, the defensive coordinator, has largely avoided the unrelenting pressure of his counterpart. The defense improved against the run from last in 2021 to ninth in 2022. The Steelers led the league with 20 interceptions, but the good news ends there.
The Steelers had only 40 sacks in 2022 which was their lowest total since 2016 and the first time they did not top 50 sacks in a season in TJ Watt’s career. Pittsburgh finished ninth against the pass in 2021 giving up 3,656 yards through the air. In 2022, the Steelers gave up slightly more at 3,779 yards but fell to 20th overall in the NFL. They were tied for second to last in the NFL with 29 touchdowns allowed in 2022 which was five more than in 2021 when they finished seventh.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers TJ Watt enters Acrisure Stadium
The catalyst for this change was the injury to Watt. He missed nearly half the season and the Steelers’ passing defense was not the same. Despite a career year from Alex Highsmith, the highest-paid defense in the NFL was just a middle-of-the-road outfit without Watt. When he returned to the lineup the defense improved dramatically and the black and gold put together a 7-2 run that nearly resulted in a playoff berth. If Watt was healthy, the Steelers probably win the division as it is probable that they at least win four of their first eight games.
Steelers Mike Tomlin Credits 2010 Defense With Changing The Way The NFL Regulates Defense
Austin has escaped the criticism that Canada has endured largely because of Watt’s injury. Fans are more comfortable blaming Canada and Tomlin, and the question is why? Tomlin was the head coach in 2010 the last great defense in Pittsburgh. They have been very good since but as Tomlin stated recently on the Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast the 2010 group was different and maybe the last truly dominant defense in the NFL.
"That '10 group created the player safety initiative," Tomlin said. "Seriously, let’s be honest. We’re talking about the historical perspective. That collection of men created what we know now as the player safety initiative. The powers that be watched them play and said this is not good for football.”
The perception is that Tomlin controls the defense, and any criticism of the unit belongs at his feet. Dick Lebeau, justifiably so gets most of the credit for the great defenses of the Steelers during the first few years of Tomlin’s career. Keith Butler took over and ran basically the same system as LeBeau but as the performance slipped, the head coach became more and more responsible. Butler’s defenses were 3-5 in the playoffs and after the blowout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, they moved on from Butler.
Austin was successful as a coordinator for the Detroit Lions from 2014 to 2017 under head coach Jim Caldwell but was let go when Caldwell was fired. He joined the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 and after one losing season, he was fired as their coordinator. Austin joined the Steelers staff as a secondary coach in 2019 and was promoted in 2022. The secondary made splash plays last season, but they also gave up touchdowns at an alarming rate.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Steelers Teryl Austin talks with defensive backs
Austin’s position should allow him to assist Omar Khan, Andy Weidl and Tomlin in their assessment of defensive backs as he has spent most of his career coaching the position. The Steelers have a need at cornerback and Tomlin’s input since he joined the club hasn’t helped them draft a solid cornerback. Austin will presumably have a role in changing that record, and if successful the Steelers should sing his praises.
However, if Austin is just one injury away from having a mediocre defense then the Steelers have the wrong man on the job. Canada has proven through performance that he does not deserve another chance, but he has one. The Steelers are spending more money on defense than anyone in the NFL, if they are not a top-five unit this season, Austin doesn’t deserve another chance either. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Should Austin be facing the same heat as Canada? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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