Steelers Coach Runs Drills at Combine, Back for 2025
Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar was back in Indianapolis assisting in running defensive line drills for the scouting combine.
With the Pittsburgh Steelers on hand in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine, it’s been no mystery the Steelers are heavily evaluating defensive linemen. They are getting an even closer look, as Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar is running drills for the prospects.
Dunbar, who joined the Steelers in 2018, has made it a habit to get involved at the combine. He has assisted defensive line drills on multiple occasions. The presence of a position coach running drills at the combine generally signifies an elevated level of interested from the team in that group of prospects, and the Steelers have not been shy about letting the world know they’re interested in the defensive line group in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Not only will Dunbar’s presence help Pittsburgh closely evaluate defensive line talent, but it also will dismiss prior speculation that he was not retained. Questions had surfaced about his future after his contract expired at the end of the 2024 season, but Dunbar is now back in the fold with the Steelers..
Dunbar’s impact has been very notable during his time with the Steelers. He has helped grow the games of Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Keeanu Benton, and has also worked through seasons with the defensive line seeing compromised health.
Dunbar’s connection to the team started with his relationship with head coach Mike Tomlin. Dunbar served as the defensive line coach under Tomlin as the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator in 2006. That year, the Vikings posted the NFL’s best rushing defense. The Steelers hired Dunbar in 2016 after former defensive line coach John Mitchell was promoted to assistant head coach.