Immediately after the Pittsburgh Steelers were bounced from the NFL Playoffs, fans called for wholesale changes, beginning with the coaching staff. The late-season collapse of 2024 marked the eighth straight year this franchise has been held without a postseason win and everyone has had enough.
While we could have safely assumed owner and team president Art Rooney II wouldn't have moved on from Mike Tomlin or Arthur Smith after issuing both coaches three-year contracts during the 2024 offseason, firing Teryl Austin was on the table. The Steelers' defensive coordinator led an abysmal game plan down the stretch.
In the season finale against the Bengals, Austin elected to leave cornerback Cory Trice Jr. on an island with Ja'Marr Chase—a triple-crown wide receiver and arguably the best in the league. This was Trice's first NFL start. One week later in the playoffs, Austin deployed his nickel defense for half the game (five defensive backs) while getting bullied for 299 rushing yards.
Now the latest rumors suggest the Steelers will be making changes to their coaching staff... Only they're not the changes we all hoped for.
On February 5, Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan shared a post on X explaining that defensive line coach Carl Dunbar could be on the move. Interestingly, Fillipponi quickly deleted the post just minutes later.
Dunbar reportedly has an expiring contract this offseason. Fillipponi noted that it's 'coaches' (plural) who could be out of work in Pittsburgh. But these insignificant changes will hardly be enough to satisfy a disgruntled fanbase.
Minor Steelers coaching changes won't move the needle
If the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted a scapegoat, they may have found one in Karl Dunbar. The long-time defensive line coach has 18 years of experience as an assistant coach in the NFL and has been the Steelers' DL coach since the 2018 offseason.
Since Dunbar arrived, Cameron Heyward made the Pro Bowl in six of seven seasons from age 29-35 while earning First-Team All-Pro honors four times. Dunbar was also largely responsible for the development of players like Stephon Tuitt—who had an 11-sack season in 2020 before playing his final NFL snaps at 27 years old—and Javon Hargrave.
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Now a lack of talent and depth on the Steelers' defensive line could cost Dunbar his job with the team. Outside of Heyward and Keeanu Benton, the entire DL group needs an overhaul, and Dunbar could be tossed out with the bath water.
If the Steelers' plan is to ditch a few assistant coaches with expiring contracts, the difference won't even be noticeable next season. Pat Meyer, Pittsburgh's offensive line coach, is another who has been whispered in rumors to be gone this offseason, but nothing has surfaced so far.
Anyone who has been paying attention knows the biggest issues with the team start right at the top with ownership. Art Rooney II refuses to change his coaching staff significantly and has an outdated philosophy for winning.
Trying to appease an angry fanbase with a few minor coaching changes won't move the needle for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.