Report: Mike Tomlin meets with Keith Butler, no changes expected as Steelers DC

Just a few days ago I wrote an article about how the longer the Steelers don’t make a change at Defensive Coordinator, the less likely it is Keith Butler will be relieved of his duties at the position.

Needless to say, fans weren’t happy, not with the article, but because they want change.

The Steelers will be able to tout change heading into 2019, but hardly at significant positions. So far, Outside Linebackers coach Joey Porter and Running Backs coach James Saxon have both been removed from their duties.

That’s it.

Fans are still holding out hope Butler will be told he is no longer needed, but according to recent reports, like this one from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it isn’t likely to happen.

Per the report, Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler had their end-of-season meeting, and it was labeled as “productive”. Now, for fans this term would be used by Tomlin handing Butler his termination papers and showing him to the nearest exit of the facility. But for the team, it likely means Butler won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

Butler does have one year left on his current contract with the Steelers, and if they give him one more year at the defensive helm to improve, and he doesn’t, they simple can not renew his contract. While the rest of the NFL doesn’t abide by these principles, it has shown up on more than on occasion in Pittsburgh, most notably with former offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

While things could still change, Butler’s return means there is only one coaching position to fill on the defensive side of the ball, and that would be at the Outside Linebackers coach position. Butler has plenty of experience in this area, considering he was the linebackers coach for years under Dick LeBeau.

Other than that, not much will change within the coaching staff, which makes fans wonder if anything will change on the field...