The Pittsburgh Steelers will interview Washington Commanders pass game coordinator Jason Simmons for the team’s defensive coordinator opening, per beat writer Mark Kaboly.

Simmons is the first known candidate to replace Teryl Austin.

The Steelers will interview Jason Simmons for their defensive coordinator position, according to source(s).

Simmons is the current defensive pass game coordinator for the Washington Commanders. Simmons coached with Mike McCartney in Green Bay for 8 years (2011-18).

Simmons… pic.twitter.com/t57zkZ2yyi

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) January 27, 2026

As Kaboly notes, there are plenty of ties between the Steelers, Mike McCarthy, and Simmons. McCarthy first hired Simmons in 2011 as a defensive assistant, primarily to work with the secondary. After spending two years assisting special teams, he returned to the defensive side of the ball as Green Bay’s secondary coach in 2018. He was kept on staff for the first year under Matt LaFleur in 2019, then spent 2020 and 2021 as the Carolina Panthers’ pass game coordinator and secondary coach.

Simmons served the same role for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and 2023 before spending the last two years with Washington.

In 2024, the Commanders allowed the third-fewest passing yards of all defenses, although they also faced the second-fewest passing attempts. Rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil had a strong first year. He intercepted two passes and finished in the top ten in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. In 2025, the Commanders’ pass defense, like the rest of the team, regressed.

Before coaching, Simmons spent a decade playing in the NFL. Drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft out of Arizona State, he spent four years in Pittsburgh. He recorded 72 tackles and forced four fumbles. He spent the final six years with the Houston Texans and was part of their inaugural roster in 2002. There, he played in 72 games and intercepted two passes.

During Tuesday’s press conference, Mike McCarthy noted he’s spent the last several days assembling his coaching staff. That process will still take time, but the coordinators could be in place in short order. Offensively, the team will interview Dallas Cowboys TEs Coach Lunda Wells for the open offensive coordinator spot. McCarthy and Wells worked together in Dallas from 2020-2024.

Below is a full bio on Simmons.