For years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been known for their ability to win games with their defense. Last offseason, they decided to bring in a plethora of new players to help bolster the defense, but somehow, it has had the opposite effect. The Steelers’ defense has been a mess this season. Teryl Austin and Mike Tomlin appear to be at a loss. If something doesn’t change soon, heads might start to roll.
Teryl Austin’s reign of terror in Pittsburgh must come to an end. The loss to the Green Bay Packers marked just the fourth time in Steelers history that they gave up 35 or more points while getting zero sacks and zero takeaways. They were outscored 28-9 in the second half and allowed the Packers to score on every drive. These atrocities are from one game. It would be easy to spend an entire day discussing the war crimes that Austin has committed in Pittsburgh.
Tomlin has to wear a portion of the blame as well, but something has to change, and it won’t be him leaving. Hopefully, the Steelers have learned from Arthur Smith that outside hires work. Pairing Tomlin with somebody who has modern defensive ideologies could be the last trick in the bag. His defensive strategies are predictable and outdated. Tomlin needs someone who can come in and freshen things up. This defense is too talented to go to waste on bad coaching.
Jerod Mayo was the head coach for the New England Patriots for one season in 2024. New England canned him in favor of Mike Vrabel after going 4-13. Luckily for the Patriots, that season with Mayo was bad enough to land them Drake Maye, who looks like an MVP candidate in year two. Vrabel is in the running to be the Coach of the Year. Mayo wasn’t cut out to be a head coach in the NFL, but his experience could make him a perfect defensive coordinator.
Before he dipped his toe into the world of coaching, Mayo spent eight seasons playing linebacker for Bill Belichick’s Patriots. Mayo started 93 games in the NFL, and he was an All-Pro in 2010, when he led the league in solo tackles. He was a part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl XLIX. The guy is oozing with experience. He needs somewhere that he can get back on his feet. Pittsburgh would be the perfect place to do that.
Mayo is a great option for the Steelers. He is someone that Tomlin would respect. Another Virginia native who has playing and coaching experience would be perfect to command the Steelers’ defense. Something has to change in Pittsburgh. Mayo does a great job of tying a sandwich together. It’s time to try it in the city that puts fries on its sandwiches.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
