Steelers Enter Bye Week on Four-Game Streak
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has moved to the sidelines as Pittsburgh's defense has tightened and the offense has picked up pace.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Football
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into their bye week riding a four-game win streak after a 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 1. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has moved from the coaches' box to the sidelines to make adjustments in real time.
Why it matters
The Steelers' turnaround follows a difficult start in which the defense allowed more than 320 yards and nearly 22 points per game, and the change in coaching position reflects a shift in how the staff is trying to correct those problems. The team now sits in first place in the AFC North.
Points allowed by the defense dropped from nearly 22 per game in the first four weeks to just over 14 during the four-game win streak. Running back Jaylen Warren is averaging 123 rushing yards per game since the offensive line change, and the offense has scored over 31 points per game in that stretch.
The players
Patrick Graham
Patrick Graham is the Steelers' defensive coordinator, responsible for the unit's schedule and in-game adjustments.
Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy is the Steelers' head coach, who has worked alongside Graham on the sideline.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are an NFL franchise based in Pittsburgh and a member of the AFC North.
The details
After a 27-24 loss to the Browns on October 1, Graham listened to Amy Winehouse on the team bus and reflected on the defense's slow start. He then moved from the coaches' box to the sidelines next to head coach Mike McCarthy to receive feedback from players and communicate with them more directly. Following a Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots, rookie Max Iheanachor and veteran Brock Hoffman were added to the starting offensive line.
Timeline
Oct. 1: Steelers lost 27-24 to the Cleveland Browns.
Week 2: Steelers lost to the New England Patriots, and offensive line changes followed.
Nov. 2: Steelers entered their bye week on a four-game win streak.
Season Trajectory
The Steelers' four-game streak has moved them into first place in the AFC North, and the defense's improvement after a slow start is the key factor in that climb. The offensive line changes and sideline coaching shift give Pittsburgh a clearer path into the second half of the season.
Fantasy managers tracking Jaylen Warren should note his 123 rushing yards per game since the offensive line change. The Steelers' next game is a Sunday night contest against the Cincinnati Bengals after the bye.
The takeaway
The Steelers' turnaround shows how a coaching adjustment and a reshaped offensive line can change a team's trajectory within a few weeks. Fans can watch whether the defense sustains its improvement once play resumes.
Further reading
For more on the team's recent run, see Pittsburgh Football.
