Steelers’ DC Teryl Austin Expected to Get a New Deal in 2024

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers are expected to award their defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, a new contract in 2024. It seems like he will remain in Pittsburgh as DC after his contract expired at the end of the 2023 season.

This move doesn’t seem very popular with Steelers Nation around the world, based on what I've seen on Twitter/X. The Steelers defense was middle of the pack in 2023 in both rushing and passing defense. They did, however, rank sixth in the league in points allowed, with just 19.1 points per game. 

That bend-but-don’t-break defense worked for them for the most part throughout most of the regular season, but really bit them in the ass against the Bills in the postseason, who put up 31 points with ease. With that being said, our defense was a revolving door with all the injuries, particularly at inside linebacker and safety. I mean, we literally pulled Myles Jack out of FLIGHT SCHOOL to get him to play ILB for us.

So, with that in mind, I don’t hate the move. Joey Porter Jr. has a big sophomore season coming in 2024, and there’s a lot to look forward to with that. Cory Trice should be available to us, and many of us will be reminded of why we were so hyped for him last offseason. Cam Heyward should be returning, along with TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Keeanu Benton, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, all of whom have proven to be dominant. There’s a lot to be excited about with this defense, and I think shaking things up with a new coordinator would’ve slowed things down a bit. So, congratulations to Teryl Austin. I can’t wait to see you prove the haters wrong!

Here. We. Go.

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