New Steelers DC Praises Defensive Roster's Size

Patrick Graham excited by the 'mass of the human beings' on Pittsburgh's defense.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 9:23am

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In a recent interview, new Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham expressed his excitement about the size and physicality of the team's defensive roster. Graham, who previously found success as the Raiders' DC, praised the 'length, size, and mass' of the Steelers' defenders, saying they 'dwarf' him despite him not being a small man himself.

Why it matters

The Steelers have long been known for their physical, hard-hitting defenses, and Graham's comments suggest he plans to continue that tradition. His ability to maximize the potential of the team's defensive talent will be crucial as the Steelers look to return to their defensive roots and get back to the playoffs in 2026.

The details

In the interview, Graham told Steelers reporter Missi Matthews that the 'size' of the Steelers' defenders is what excites him most about the roster. He noted that every time he's met the players, 'most of them are all bigger' than him, and he's 'not a small guy.' Graham said this is 'exactly what I want it to look like' in terms of the ideal defense.

  • The interview with Patrick Graham took place on February 20, 2026.

The players

Patrick Graham

The new defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who previously served in the same role for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Missi Matthews

A reporter who covers the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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What they’re saying

“The size. The mass of the human beings that we have lined up out there. This is what you envision in terms of your defense to look like, in terms of length, size, mass. They're just big men. Every time I've met one of them, most of them are all bigger than me. And I'm not a small guy, but they just dwarf me. And I'm like, 'Yes, this is exactly what I want it to look like.'”

— Patrick Graham, Steelers Defensive Coordinator

What’s next

The Steelers will look to put Graham's vision for a physically dominant defense into action when they begin their offseason program and training camp in the coming months.

The takeaway

Patrick Graham's excitement about the size and physicality of the Steelers' defensive roster suggests he plans to emphasize a return to the team's traditional defensive identity. If he can maximize the potential of the team's talented defenders, the Steelers could be poised to reclaim their status as one of the NFL's premier defensive units in 2026.