Overview
- Graham, hired to replace Teryl Austin, gave his first team-site interview outlining his approach ahead of the 2026 season.
- He highlighted the Steelers' defensive tradition and said he wants the unit to earn its place within it.
- He signaled the defense will stay in a 3-4 structure, stressing consistent terminology so coaches adapt to players rather than the reverse.
- He praised the size and physical profile of Pittsburgh’s defenders as matching his vision for how the unit should look.
- While most of Mike McCarthy’s staff is new, Graham noted familiarity with many assistants from their time together in Green Bay and with recent colleagues, and only Tom Arth and Scott McCurley were retained from the prior staff.