Steelers rumor pinpoints defensive coordinator candidate for Mike McCarthy's staff

The Pittsburgh Steelers have hired Mike McCarthy as their next head coach and now he will look to fill out his staff.

As we wait to see who the Steelers will interview for the several open jobs, one possible candidate for defensive coordinator has emerged.

According to Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, former New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is a name to watch.

"Been hearing former Giants and Raiders DC Patrick Graham's name as a possible defensive coordinator for Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh," Stapleton wrote.

Graham has a connection with McCarthy. The former was on the latter's staff back in 2018, when Graham served as McCarthy's linebackers coach and run-game coordinator.

With the Steelers clearly looking for established coaches, as evidenced by the McCarthy hire, Graham certainly fits that mold.

Graham broke into the NFL coaching scene back in 2009 with the New England Patriots and has served as a defensive coordinator for three different teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Giants and Raiders.

Graham served as the defensive coordinator of the Raiders for the past four seasons and survived multiple head-coach changes. However, he didn't have much success with the Raiders, although a lack of talent was certainly part of the problem.

That said, his resume isn't exactly sterling. Over seven years as a defensive play-caller, Graham has only seen his units finish with a top-10 ranking three times.

His 2020 Giants defense and 2023 Raiders unit both finished ninth in points allowed, and that same Giants defense ranked 10th in rushing yards given up. Graham has never overseen a top-10 pass defense.

Would hiring Graham be an uninspiring move?

Sure, but so was McCarthy, and given the new Steelers head coach's connection with the veteran defensive coordinator, we wouldn't be surprised to see Graham roaming Pittsburgh's sideline in 2026.

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