PITTSBURGH --Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin revealed that he calls the plays on game day and is the voice in green dot linebacker Patrick Queen’s headset throughout the duration of the game.
Austin is also holding the play sheet on the defensive side of the ball throughout the week. However, Austin did not that Tomlin is heavily involved in game planning throughout the week, which is no surprise.
“Mike, he’s part of the defense, obviously," Austin said. “And he’s always been part of it. And nothing’s changed in that regard. We go through our weeks. We plan. He’s in all of the meetings. All those things."
In addition to that, Austin added that he is the one calling the plays from the play sheet on any given Sunday, but Tomlin can always give a directive on which play to call if he wants to as the head coach.
“I’ve been since I’ve been in this chair. I’m calling it," Austin said. “And if Mike wants to call something, he calls it. And that’s how we roll."
The Steelers’ defense has struggled mightily. They are struggling to get anything going, as they rank 30th in explosive play rate allowed and last in opponent passing yards per game. Teams have been able to slice their way up the field against them.
The play caller does not matter as much as a result, as it is about details and the schematics they put in throughout the week, meaning that Tomlin and Austin each have to shoulder the blame for the poor defensive play.
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