Fittipaldo: Steelers' Teryl Austin Only Defensive Coordinator In Name; Mike Tomlin "Pulling Strings"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have all kinds of issues when it comes to the defense. There are constant miscommunications, players are potentially not doing their jobs, and questionable play-calling has been present. This unit is in shambles, and there's only one week before the playoffs begin, where this unit has been historically bad in recent appearances. So many things have to change right now if the Steelers even want to play a close game, let alone win a playoff contest. Everything starts with the man at the top. 

Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin has taken all kinds of heat for the defensive failures as of late, but, as Ray Fittipaldo pointed out while making an appearance on WMBS, he is not the responsible party.

"Keith Butler was a defensive coordinator in name for a few years. Now, Teryl Austin is the defensive coordinator in name," Fittipaldo stated. "But he's really not the one pulling the strings. This is Mike Tomlin."

Keith Butler previously stated that Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been the defensive play-caller since before he was given that faux title. Even after Butler's retirement, Tomlin has retained total control of the defense. As of now, there are no signs that he has any intentions of giving up that power. 

Tomlin having full control over the defense seems like a bad thing, especially with the issues that have been going on, both recently and historically. Fittipaldo continued on his thought, as he seemed confused as to why the veteran head coach can't push the right buttons.

"This is a guy who has a background in the secondary. He was a defensive backs coach for Tony Dungy before he went on to become the Steelers' head coach. You would think with all those years of experience and everything he's encountered in his 20+ years in the NFL, he could figure this out."

The Steelers ended 2023 with a very talented defensive core, then they added much more talent with guys like Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott. They still have the same issues as before, and they don't have numerous season-ending injuries to the linebacker and secondary cores to deflect blame towards like they did in 2023. 

There has been no bigger indictment against Tomlin than when he admitted to stubbornly running his zone defense against a team that thrives on zone, including one particular player that he dubbed "a zone-killer." What's the point of spending all week watching film and scouting out your opponents if you're going to just do what you want anyways with no real logic behind it? 

Tomlin may be the single-greatest coach at player relations and motivation, but that doesn't translate to making a good gameplan. He needs to just trust his assistants to do the right thing, since there is no reason to trust him. If Tomlin doesn't trust his guys, he needs to go out and find some that he is comfortable with.

Steelers Could Win The Another Super Bowl If Tomlin Gives Up Some Power

Back when Tomlin's Steelers made a pair of Super Bowls and won one, the head coach was not involved in the Xs and Os. Legendary Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau ran a scheme that worked at the time. Tomlin didn't even meddle with the offense like he does now, as Bruce Arians was able to do his own thing. 

Tomlin trusted his coordinators, and they delivered. Meanwhile, the then-youngest head coach in the league was able to focus on the things that he is actually good at. If the 18th-year leader wants to have success in the playoffs and win another Lombardi, he has to take a nice, long look in the mirror.

W

hat do you think about Tomlin's struggles as a defensive play-caller? Let us know in the comments.

#SteelerNation