Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has become known for many things but in particular, winning and loyalty. Sometimes, he can be loyal to a fault, including his recent decision to stand by the since-fired offensive coordinator, Matt Canada. Now, fans don’t know how to react to Tomlin’s most recent decision to retain Teryl Austin.
Per ESPN’s Senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers and Austin are working to finalize a two-year pact to retain him as defensive coordinator. This comes after a report from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac the day prior that Austin was expected to return next season. Despite playing a role in Pittsburgh’s sixth-ranked scoring defense, some fans are happier than others.
The #Steelers are working to finalize a new two-year contract for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, per sources.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 25, 2024
Austin, with Pittsburgh since 2019, guided the league's sixth-ranked scoring defense.
Pittsburgh Steelers extend Teryl Austin
Let's look at some reactions of Steelers fans on social media who weren't exactly thrilled when reading this news update regarding a contract extension for Austin.
— Baku 🐧 (@Mazursky8895) January 25, 2024
He’s not bad but I feel like we can do better than Teryl Austin https://t.co/9yYXy7NbLs
— ValcanoMania (10-7) #HereWeGo (@emperorcold11) January 25, 2024
Wow. I’m so shocked. The Steelers are keeping Teryl Austin. 🙄 next announcement will be that Mike Sullivan is the new OC. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/xMEXnPWEUx
— Tim ✨🖤💛 (@bleedblkngold95) January 25, 2024
While some are surprised by Austin remaining with the Steelers, this fan isn’t:
Teryl Austin is back pic.twitter.com/4wmRWiqRcK
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) January 25, 2024
The Steelers took a “bend don’t break” defensive approach. Even though they surrendered 17.8 points per game, they ranked 21st in the NFL in opponent yards allowed (343.6) and 25th in opponent passing yards (187.8). However, some fans are cutting Austin some slack given the Steelers' injury woes on the defensive side of the ball in 2023.
Teryl Austin had a defense with Amazon employees at ILB and safety, injuries to our three highest players, and an offense that couldn’t stay on the field but ranked 6th in scoring defense. I don’t see what he did to not be deserving of a contract extension. Yards don’t matter.
— Frick (@joefrk) January 23, 2024
I am not “out” on Teryl Austin like I was Matt Canada. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt w injuries but they need to make offseason moves. Would love Jaylon Johnson or Jaire
— aliciadawnnnnn (@aliciadawnnnnn) January 25, 2024
We have a lot more elite qbs on our schedule next year. Mahomes, burrowx2, Lamar x2, Herbert and…
The Steelers' defense did their best to carry the team to the playoffs with a 10-7 record. But, the Steelers lost 31-17 in the Wild Card Round.
Like a lot of teams, Pittsburgh struggled mightily against the opposing team’s top receiving options, a problem Tomlin ignored throughout the season in defense of Austin. Having been with the franchise since 2019, Austin is now under contract to remain with the Steelers for another two seasons.
It is important to note that Tomlin, not Austin, handles the defensive play-calling duties for the Steelers. In other words, the debate about the decision to retain their defensive coordinator could be a moot point.