5 defensive coordinator candidates for the Steelers in 2022

Steelers could promote Dunbar

While all of the coaches listed before are currently on different teams, the lone player that can and should be promoted from this current staff is defensive line coach Karl Dunbar. Taking over for the legendary John Mitchell was never going to be an easy task, but Dunbar has helped guide this team into a new era of defensive line success.

From Cameron Heyward taking his game to the next level to Tyson Alualu becoming a surprisingly elite nose tackle, he has helped the big guy’s upfront play to their best ability. Dunbar is also tasked with working with the edge rushers. There, he has helped T.J. Watt become the league’s best edge rusher and he turned Bud Dupree from a bust into a respectable pass rusher.

While the defensive line has taken a step back this year, that is more due to the obscene number of injuries at the position. Even then, the team is still one of the best pass-rushing units and he has gotten some great play out of Chris Wormley and Isaiahh Loudermilk. Dunbar has done an incredible job of making this unit into an elite force. Dunbar makes the most sense for an in-house hire and should be seen as the favorite to land this job if Butler is released.