Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers News
Longtime Steelers Coach Set To Become Free Agent
One of the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coaches is set to become a free agent this offseason without an extension.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he expects there to be change “on a lot of levels” following the team’s sixth straight playoff loss. That sentiment was likely meant for players and coaches, setting up what could be the departure of longtime Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar.
According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Dunbar is set to become a free agent when his current deal, which runs through the 2024 season, is up.
Dunbar has been coaching the Steelers defensive line since he joined the team in 2018, helping to develop and grow the talents of the likes of defensive tackles Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton and linebackers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.
That group combined for 32 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and one interception in 2024, so it’s safe to say that isn’t one of the coaches that the Steelers should be willing to part with.
In fact, the Steelers should be focused on doing the opposite and finding a way to extend the well-respected defensive line coach. Dunbar has proven to be a coach that players rely on.
Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko is one of the many players that have looked upon Dunbar for guidance when things didn’t go as planned.
The only thing that should prevent the Steelers from bringing back Dunbar is if he wants a change of scenery, but that feels unlikely after what has been a successful seven years as their defensive line coach.
Dunbar previously coached defensive line for the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears before joining Pittsburgh in 2018. So it’s safe to assume he’d have a market elsewhere if the Steelers made the surprising decision to part ways with him this offseason.