Report: Steelers to Retain Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler on One-Year Deal

Keith Butler will return as the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator on a one-year contract, according to a report by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

ESPN had previously reported that Butler was seeking only a one-year extension to remain in the position that he’s held since 2015.

The Steelers’ defense finished 2020 fifth in the NFL with 21.2 points per game allowed, the second consecutive season the team finished fifth in the league in scoring defense after coming in ninth, 10th, 11th and 16th in Butler’s first four seasons as defensive coordinator.

Butler, 64, started in Pittsburgh as linebackers coach in 2003, serving under legendary Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau and winning two Super Bowls.

A native of Anniston, Alabama, Butler played at Memphis State and spent 10 seasons in the NFL as a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. As a coach, he spent seven seasons as a defensive assistant at Memphis, one as Arkansas State’s defensive coordinator and three seasons as the Cleveland Browns’ linebackers coach before joining the Steelers in 2003.

The Steelers have at least one vacancy on their defensive staff as defensive backs coach Tom Bradly was not retained. Senior defensive assistant Teryl Austin has interviewed for the vacant Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator position.