It’s been a hotly debated topic for years. Who calls the plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense? As a former defensive coordinator and longtime defensive coach, Mike Tomlin’s heavy influence on the defense is obvious enough. But who actually sends the play to LB Patrick Queen’s headset? Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin offered the clearest answer yet Thursday.
“I’ve been since I’ve been in this chair. I’m calling it,” Austin said via beat reporter Mark Kaboly. “And if Mike wants to call something, he calls it. And that’s how we roll. I mean, that’s how it’s been.”
Of course, that doesn’t clear up everything. It’s not clear how often Tomlin steps in or guides the play call. But it confirms what’s been visible with cameras regularly showing Austin communicating plays on his call sheet. Austin has a serious hand in calling the Steelers’ defense. Perhaps the majority of the time. And it’s been that way since Austin took over as defensive coordinator in 2022.
It counters what other coaches have said. After retiring, former defensive coordinator Keith Butler noted Tomlin had control of the play calls, a change that happened even late in Dick LeBeau’s career.
“The last couple years of Dick LeBeau, Mike was calling defenses here too,” Butler said in a 2022 interview. “It’s something that he wanted to do. It’s something he had done already at Minnesota. He wanted to do that here and dadgum, he should be able to do what he wants to do.”
Those comments came before Tomlin promoted Austin from defensive assistant to coordinator. And it appears Tomlin changed his approach. Still, Tomlin is highly involved in the game planning and setting the table for what Pittsburgh’s plan will be.
“Mike’s, he’s part of the defense obviously,” Austin said via 93.7 The Fan. “And he’s always been part of it. And nothing’s changed in that regard. We go through our weeks. We plan. He’s in all the meetings. All those things. And so there’s really no change in terms of how we work together as a staff.
“I don’t think that has any bearing on anything because Mike has always been involved. Nothing’s changed in that regard.”
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Tomlin said he has no plans to make changes to the play-calling structure. Meaning Austin will be the main voice in Queen’s ear Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. If the defensive struggles continue, however, that may change.