Steelers Might Take Extremely Familiar Approach When It Comes To Teryl Austin In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers collapsed at the end of the 2024 season. It was extremely unfortunate that the team began the year 10-3, but lost five straight games, including one in the Wild Card Round to the Baltimore Ravens. This month-long stretch has the fan base calling for change, but a lot has been silent from the franchise's building, aside from an end-of-season press conference hosted by Head Coach Mike Tomlin. It will be interesting what occurs in the coming days and weeks, but it appears the organization is much further than it originally thought from being a true contender in the AFC.

One of the more disappointing aspects of the play on the field during the five-game losing skid was the defense. There were some tough offenses to go up against each week, but the unit played far from what it is capable of. This has sparked incredible criticism in the direction of Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin. With one year left on his contract, many are wondering what Austin's fate will be.

It is very uncharacteristic of Pittsburgh to let a coach walk while in the middle of a contract, especially one that has the title that Austin does. In a mailbag on X, team insider Mark Kaboly was asked about Austin's job security moving forward. He had a rather interesting answer that could spark some dialogue.

"As for Austin, I can see more of a Brian Flores/Austin before he became DC to be added as a senior defensive assistant over firing TA," Kaboly wrote.

The Steelers have to pay Austin anyway, so it's expected that he is retained simply because of what history says. Stripping Austin of some power, however, and bringing in an experienced defensive mind that doesn't have a home could be intriguing. Pittsburgh had a stout defense in 2022 when Brian Flores was around, so it's possible that Tomlin decides to take this approach once again to bring in a veteran that can help.

The defensive unit for the Steelers was absolutely torched late in the season, specifically on the ground by Derrick Henry. The schemes seem predictable and easy to exploit, which is why new thoughts and opinions would bring something fresh to the coaching staff. Additionally, if the group starts off 2025 terribly, the assistant could be promoted to the play-caller.

The Steelers have consistently had the highest-paid defense in the league in recent years. It hasn't gotten them very far, and it's about time the front office starting spending some serious money on the offensive side of the football. No one is quite sure if that will end up happening under Tomlin's watch, but it's clear that the organizations with the most high-powered offenses are more likely to end up in the Super Bowl.

Austin doesn't deserve all of the blame for the defense's inconsistencies. Tomlin has a big hand in the game-planning and schematics. Austin will be used as a scapegoat before Tomlin takes full accountability, which is why an assistant for Austin could help the staff altogether. The Steelers can no longer preach defense and allow big-time offenses to put a ton of points on the board. The time for change is now, and if Austin stays, something have to give elsewhere.

Steelers Can't Have A Quiet 2025 Offseason If Contending Is Top Of Mind

Pittsburgh could lurk in the shadows as it tends to do during most NFL offseasons, but that would be a mistake in 2025. There are going to have to be some big swings from the organization if the top goal in mind is to be in contention for a Super Bowl sooner rather than later. There are plenty of challenges ahead, but no excuses as a starving fan base is still waiting a playoff win for the first time since the 2016 campaign.

Do you think that Austin should be retained by the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!

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