Despite the struggles last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers remain confident in defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. So much so, that according to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the team is finalizing a new two-year contract with Austin to keep him with the team through the 2025 season.
As Fowler pointed out, the Steelers defense was sixth in points allowed, which seems remarkable given the sheer volume of injuries this unit was forced to contend with. Pittsburgh lost two starting inside linebackers, three starting safeties and multiple other players on the defense. Pittsburgh was 21st in the NFL in yards allowed last season.
The #Steelers are working to finalize a new two-year contract for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, per sources.
Austin, with Pittsburgh since 2019, guided the league's sixth-ranked scoring defense.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 25, 2024
If the Steelers can lock up Austin, they can focus all their attention on finding their new offensive coordinator. The Steelers fired Matt Canada just after the midway point of the 2023 season and head coach Mike Tomlin said the team plans to look outside the organization for a replacement.
