An experienced and well-respected defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham could’ve joined several NFL teams. In a recent sit-down interview with Steelers.com’s Missi Matthews, Graham explains why he chose the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“One, starts with Mike [McCarthy],” Graham told Matthews via the team’s YouTube channel. “And just knowing Mike from my time at Green Bay and just how much I admire [him] throughout my career, being a young coach and respect I had for him. And then finally get to work with him for one year. And then we stayed in contact.”
Graham worked with McCarthy for the 2018 season, hired as the Green Bay Packers’ linebackers coach and run game coordinator. Their time together was brief, McCarthy was fired before the season ended, but it still left an obvious positive impression. After four years as the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive coordinator, Graham became available through the Raiders’ own coaching change and McCarthy quickly scooped him up.
Graham will look to turn around Pittsburgh’s disappointing 2025 season. The Steelers’ defense wasn’t terrible but failed to live up to lofty preseason expectations. The run defense never truly settled in while the grand plan of a man-heavy secondary featuring cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay went up in flames.
Still, Graham knows the Steelers’ history is rooted in defense and he’s excited to continue that trend.
“As a defensive coach, to be able to come here, to try to earn our place in that tradition, it’s really near and dear to my heart, and I don’t take it lightly,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to be in that situation.”
Graham will get to work with more resources than he was afforded out West, especially if DL Cam Heyward and FS Jalen Ramsey return. The defensive line has promising youth in 2025 draft picks like Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black. The EDGE group is among football’s best if not outright No. 1, and Joey Porter Jr. turned into a clear top cornerback by season’s end. Good players make every coach look good and that was a deciding factor in Graham’s selection.
“It always comes down to when you have a choice, it comes down to the players,” he said. “There’s so many good and productive football players on that side of the ball here. And just as I’ve gone through the process so far, getting a chance to meet those men, I’m really, really excited.”
Graham must turn that excitement into results. He’ll have to continue Pittsburgh’s tradition of takeaways, an area where Graham’s units have historically struggled, while improving the nuts and bolts of the team. Tackling, third down, and all the rest.
Recommended for you