Schefter: Steelers Aren’t Expected to Make Major Changes
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said during his season-ending press conference on Tuesday that he expects changes on a lot of levels. It’s been a few days and nothing has happened, however. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and offensive line coach Pat Meyer are still employed by the Steelers.
Adam Schefter of ESPN thinks it was just a general statement by Tomlin and he doesn’t expect the Steelers to make drastic changes this offseason.
“The offseason is still young, let’s give this some time,” Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show on Frday. “I don’t know exactly what they’re gonna do, but the head coach said what he said. I just think he was speaking in a general term. I’m not expecting major, major changes. Like, what do we think is going to happen? I think it’s typical of any roster in any given year. It turns over, however much it does. There’s some changes on the coaching staff. I don’t know if it’s going to be any more dramatic in Pittsburgh than where it is anywhere else.”
When asked about the coaching staff on Tuesday, Tomlin said potential changes on the coaching staff are ongoing discussions.
“I’d imagine that there are going to be some things that change around here on a lot of levels,” he said. “That’s just this game. … I understand that. I’m open to that. …
“I think change in coaching staffs is a component of our business. I certainly don’t think all of our coaches are under contract. Change is a component of it and I acknowledge it, but we are at the very early stages of those types of decisions and discussions.”
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and offensive line coach Pat Meyer are two members of the coaching staff that could be relieved of their duties.
The defense fell apart during the team’s five-game losing streak to end the season, and miscommunication was the center piece of the problems.
Austin’s unit got exposed against elite offenses like the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. The game plans were head-scratching and left a lot to be desired.
Meyer was hired in 2022, replacing Adrian Klemm who left for Oregon before the 2021 season concluded. There was some progress made in 2022 and 2023, but the unit took a deep decline in 2024. The offensive line missed on assignments throughout the season and there was often way too much miscommunication.
The Steelers finished the 2024 season ranked 11th in rushing offense, averaging 127.4 yards per game, but they were fourth in rushing attempts (533). It was just a lot of volume, but the production wasn’t there, only averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The Steelers ranked 29th this season in EPA. The run game was supposed to be Arthur Smith’s specialty, but Meyer’s inability to foster a competent offensive line could have held back the entire unit.
Offensive tackles Dan Moore Jr. and Broderick Jones certainly didn’t develop under Meyer. Moore gave up 12 sacks in 2024, while Jones surrendered 10, according to Pro Football Focus.