The Giants have reportedly begun their search for a new defensive coordinator after Patrick Graham surprising left for Las Vegas.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Big Blue has requested permission to interview Steelers defensive assistant and secondary coach Teryl Austin for their defensive coordinator opening, shortly after reports that Graham had agreed to take the same role with the Raiders. It initially seemed as if Graham would be back in New York, especially when new head coach Brian Daboll all but said he would be back during Daboll’s introductory press conference.
Per Schefter, Pittsburgh may not grant the Giants permission to move forward with an interview, since Austin is considered a “favorite” to become the Steelers new defensive coordinator.
Austin has spent nearly a decade in the NFL, and was hired by Pittsburgh in 2019. Last season, he helped the Steelers develop one of the top defenses in the league, but this past season, the secondary was in the bottom 10 in passer rating and yards per attempt, per Pro Football Focus, which ranked Pittsburgh’s secondary 26th in the league this season.
Austin does have experience as a defensive coordinator, spending four years with the Lions in that role from 2014-2017, and a year with the Bengals in 2018. Cincinnati's passing defense was the worst in the NFL that season based on yards allowed.
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