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Steelers DC Patrick Graham Reveals New Coach Mike McCarthy's Role in Career Decision
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- Steelers DC Patrick Graham Reveals New Coach Mike McCarthy's Role in Career Decision
After 19 years under the stewardship of Mike Tomlin, the Pittsburgh Steelers are beginning a new chapter with Mike McCarthy taking over the head coaching role at Heinz Field.
Tomlin's departure also brought the arrival of Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator, who joins the six-time Super Bowl
champions after a three-year stint with the Las Vegas Raiders
in a similar role. When asked about his reasons for joining Pittsburgh, Graham was quick to highlight
McCarthy's presence as a decisive factor.
"One, starts with Mike and just knowing Mike from my time at Green Bay
," Graham said. "And how much I admired 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 you stayed in contact."
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthyCharles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Graham also made sure to give a shout-out to the Steelers' culture and the roster, mentioning how the team's legacy and the current personnel impacted on his decision to join.
"The tradition of the Steelers, you know, as a defensive coach, to be able to come here to try and earn a place in that tradition — that's really near and dear to my heart," Graham said. "And I don't take it lightly, I'm very fortunate to be in that situation. And then as it always comes down to, we have a choice, it comes down to the players. There's so many good and productive players on that side of the ball here."
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Graham's coaching résumé includes stops as defensive coordinator at the Raiders, New York Giants and Miami Dolphins , in addition to a stint in Green Bay with McCarthy which saw him overseeing the run game and linebackers. His NFL coaching career started as a coaching assistant role with the New England Patriots , and his six years in Foxborough included four promotions. Before the NFL, the former defensive lineman coached at the collegiate level at Wagner, Richmond, Notre Dame and Toledo.
The 2018 Packers season with McCarthy and Graham ended up being the former's last season in Titletown, and the duo will be hoping for a much longer collaboration this time around.
Related: NFL Fans React to Steelers' Mike McCarthy Decision After Parting Ways With Mike Tomlin
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
