The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced Patrick Graham as their new defensive coordinator. Graham brings 17 years of NFL coaching experience, most recently serving four seasons in the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Graham’s career includes positions with several NFL teams, such as the New England Patriots, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, and Raiders. He has been a defensive coordinator for seven consecutive years and was also assistant head coach for the Giants from 2020 to 2021.
Teams coached by Graham have reached the playoffs eight times, winning seven division titles and two conference championships. He was part of the Patriots staff that won Super Bowl XLIX.
Under Graham’s leadership in Las Vegas, the Raiders’ defense consistently ranked among the top 15 in various categories over four seasons. Linebacker Robert Spillane set a franchise record with 158 tackles in 2024 and ranked third in the league. Defensive end Maxx Crosby earned four Pro Bowl selections during this period.
In 2024, the Raiders’ defense allowed an average of 333.1 yards per game overall, including 116.9 rushing yards and 216.2 passing yards per game. Eighteen players recorded at least half a sack—setting a single-season team record—and their defensive line finished second among all NFL units for passes defensed that year.
The unit showed marked improvement under Graham’s tenure: In 2023, they finished ninth in scoring defense (19.5 points allowed per game), climbing from twenty-eighth overall in total defense in 2022 to fifteenth in 2023.
Prior to his time with the Raiders, Graham was assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 2020-21. The Giants improved their rush defense ranking from twentieth before his arrival to tenth during his first season; pass defense improved from twenty-eighth to sixteenth over that span.
In his first year with New York, the Giants ranked ninth in scoring defense (21 points allowed per game) and twelfth in total defense—their best finish since 2016.
Players who performed well under Graham include inside linebacker Blake Martinez (151 tackles), cornerback James Bradberry (three interceptions), and safety Logan Ryan (92 tackles).
Graham’s first stint as an NFL defensive coordinator came with Miami Dolphins in 2019—a season marked by significant roster changes due to trades and injuries.
He previously worked alongside current Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy while coaching linebackers for Green Bay Packers in 2018; that year’s run defense ranked thirteenth league-wide by allowing just over four yards per carry.
Earlier roles included serving as defensive line coach for the Giants when Jason Pierre-Paul led with eight-and-a-half sacks and Damon Harrison topped all NFL defensive tackles with seventy-six stops.
With New England Patriots between 2009-15, Graham progressed through several positions on Bill Belichick’s staff as they won multiple AFC East titles and captured another Super Bowl victory during his tenure.
Before joining professional ranks, he coached at Notre Dame, Richmond University, Wagner College—and played college football at Yale University where he contributed to an Ivy League championship team.
