Patrick Graham, the defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, is reportedly being considered for a similar position under new Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, according to Art Stapleton. This comes on the heels of Graham’s recent discussions with the Miami Dolphins regarding their head coach vacancy before they ultimately appointed former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
At 46 years old, Graham has built a notable coaching career. He began as a graduate assistant at Wagner in 2002 and spent three years at Richmond before making his NFL coaching debut in 2009 with the New England Patriots as a defensive coaching assistant. After a successful seven-year stint in New England, he was hired by the New York Giants as their defensive coach in 2016. Graham went on to work with the Green Bay Packers as their linebackers coach and run game coordinator before taking the defensive coordinator role with the Dolphins in 2019.
In 2020, Graham returned to the Giants as their defensive coordinator, and two years later, he took on the same role with the Raiders. During the 2025 season, the Raiders ranked 25th in scoring and 14th in overall defense, with their performance placing them 17th against the run and 14th against the pass.
With Graham’s history and experience, his potential move to the Steelers’ coaching staff could signify a promising shift for both himself and the team’s defensive strategy. This development highlights the ongoing dynamics within NFL coaching ranks and the opportunities that arise as teams reassess their coaching needs. As the season progresses, the coaching landscape continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities for seasoned coaches like Graham.