The Pittsburgh Steelers have already said goodbye to longtime head coach Mike Tomlin this offseason.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could be departing the organization too, as he’s had interviews with multiple teams already this winter.
Now, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is reportedly being considered for the same role with the Washington Commanders.
“Another name to add to the Commanders’ defensive coordinator search: Steelers DC Teryl Austin interviewed for the job, per sources,” The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala posted on X.
Another name to add to the Commanders’ defensive coordinator search: Steelers DC Teryl Austin interviewed for the job, per sources.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 23, 2026
Austin had a 12-year coaching career at the collegiate level before entering the NFL ranks in 2003 as the Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach. Austin held that title for seven seasons, four with the Seahawks and then three with the Arizona Cardinals.
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The 60-year-old returned to the college game for one season as Florida’s defensive coordinator in 2010 before serving as the Baltimore Ravens secondary coach from 2011 to 2013. Austin was the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2017 and held the same role with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 before joining the Steelers in 2019 as their secondary coach/senior defensive assistant.
He worked in that capacity for three years before being promoted to defensive coordinator ahead of the 2022 campaign.
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Austin faces plenty of competition for the Commanders defensive coordinator post, as former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and others have already interviewed for the gig.
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