“The importance of defense,” McCarthy said, “is critical.”To that end, McCarthy takes over a team that ranked 26th in the NFL in total defense last season. “The history of the Steelers defense and staying with the 3-4 is important, as far as the origin of it,” McCarthy said. Austin joined former head coach Mike Tomlin’s defensive staff in 2019 and was promoted to coordinator three years later. The Steelers’ defense ranked in the top 10 in points allowed over his first three seasons but never higher than 12th in yards allowed. Five significant contributors are eligible for unrestricted free agency,In other words, there could be changes for the 2026 Steelers defense — particularly with a new head coach overseeing it.