Category: Steelers defense

Mike Tomlin’s old-school mentality is failing in today’s NFL

Mike Tomlin’s defense-first coaching style faces scrutiny as the Steelers continue to struggle to adapt in an offense-driven NFL.

While it’s no secret that the ‘fire Mike Tomlin’ supporters are gearing up for another call for change regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach position, those in favor of Tomlin may have little ammunition to back up their argument.

The age-old, ‘He’s never had a losing season’, argument looks weak after four consecutive losses to end the season. There’s a simple reason for this late-season collapse: Tomlin’s coaching style doesn’t work in 2024.

Tomlin is a great defensive mind, but his overreliance on defense is why the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to win a playoff game since 2017. The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have the most expensive defense in the NFL, while many of this season’s Super Bowl favorites have adopted a more offense-focused team and coaching style.

His inability to adapt in an offense-driven league, the basic Black and Gold playbook, and his overreliance on star players to compensate for questionable decision-making have caught up to him.

Tomlin stated that if the Steelers were unable to complete a 4th-and-1 in Week 18, the team didn’t deserve to win. However, another situation is clear: if Tomlin cannot earn a playoff win in 2024, perhaps the team should find a new head coach.

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Benching Steelers veteran CB could alleviate defensive struggles

Cameron Sutton’s struggles in coverage call for changes in the Steelers secondary as the defense scrambles for improvement.

The grass isn’t always greener, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have learned this the hard way with veteran slot corner Cameron Sutton starting over rookie Beanie Bishop Jr.

Despite strong performances from Bishop, Sutton took over the starting slot CB role after returning from his eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Sutton has remained strong against the run but has struggled significantly against opposing passing attacks—an area of major concern for the Steelers defense over the past few weeks.

Injuries have forced Sutton into an expanded role for the Steelers, as his versatility allows him to play outside in addition to his natural position in the slot. However, these opportunities have only emphasized the need to bench Sutton.

CBs Cory Trice Jr. and James Pierre fit the Steelers’ needs better as outside man-coverage corners, and Bishop has already proven he can create splash plays from the slot.

With that in mind, the first step to addressing the Steelers’ defensive struggles seems simple: bench Sutton and let Trice, Pierre, and Bishop take over the secondary until CBs Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson are fully healthy.

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Where has rookie CB Beanie Bishop Jr. gone?

Beanie Bishop Jr.’s absence raises concerns as the Pittsburgh Steelers struggle with injuries and performance in the secondary.

In what can only be described as an extremely compromised Pittsburgh Steelers defense over the past three weeks, one standout rookie for the team has seemingly vanished. Fans of the Black and Gold, myself included, are asking, ‘Where is Beanie Bishop Jr.?’

It was expected that the return of suspended CB Cameron Sutton would significantly cut into the rookie corner’s defensive snaps. However, Bishop was arguably on the cusp of entering the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation in 2024.

A struggling defense, especially one dealing with numerous injuries in the secondary, should be utilizing all available personnel, regardless of experience. Yet, Bishop was entirely absent from defensive snaps during the team’s Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.

While Sutton has faced challenges in coverage this season, his stronger run-stopping ability compared to Bishop may explain the rookie’s recent lack of involvement.

HC Mike Tomlin has hinted at necessary changes moving forward. Could one of those changes involve getting Bishop back on the field?

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Do Steelers have another ‘Matt Canada problem’ with DC Teryl Austin?

Teryl Austin faces scrutiny in 2024, echoing Matt Canada’s 2023 firing, despite coaching a more talented Pittsburgh Steelers roster.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. It appears Steelers fans are once again attempting to run a coordinator out of town, as the Black and Gold faithful are now hoping DC Teryl Austin will receive the infamous ‘Matt Canada treatment.’

Much to the delight of Steelers fans, Canada was rightfully fired in 2023 for his poor performance as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator. Austin, meanwhile, is showing signs of losing the locker room’s vote of confidence in 2024, as the once-great Steelers defense has displayed significant regression over the past three weeks.

After poor defensive showings in consecutive losses to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Kansas City Chiefs—giving up over 1,200 yards of offense in those contests—fans of the Black and Gold are calling for a change in leadership at the defensive coordinator position.

Canada was fired for overseeing a poor offense with an equally underwhelming roster, while Austin has the advantage of coaching some of the league’s best defenders.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers fail to win a playoff game in 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Austin receive his pink slip during the 2025 offseason.

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Surprising second-year defender could be Steelers CB of the future

Cory Trice Jr. made his mark on the Steelers’ defense in Week 17, proving his potential after overcoming a challenging rookie setback.

On a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has struggled mightily over the past two weeks, one defender has stood out—CB Cory Trice Jr.

The second-year corner—drafted out of Purdue University with the 243rd pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft—saw his draft stock plummet after teams were worried about his injury history.

To make matters worse, before Trice could prove to the NFL that teams made a mistake letting him fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round, he tore his ACL during training camp in 2023, ending his rookie season before it even began.

An injury that forced starting CB Joey Porter Jr. to miss Week 17’s contest against the Kansas City Chiefs put a tremendous amount of pressure on Trice, and the young CB delivered.

PFF paid respect to Trice’s elite play—which saw the CB allow only two receptions for 12 yards—with an impressive grade of 90.1, the second highest among all Steelers defenders in Week 17.

Trice could provide the Steelers with an affordable option at corner if the team moves on from CB Donte Jackson in the 2025 offseason.

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Who is the mysterious Steeler responsible for the struggling defense?

Steelers players hint at a single teammate as the source of the defense’s 2024 struggles, leaving fans to speculate.

While trouble appears to be brewing behind the scenes for the once-great 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers defense, several of their best players have alluded to the issues stemming from one player alone.

Steelers DT Cam Heyward referenced the issue on defense, stating that it doesn’t matter how great 10 of the Steelers defenders are—when one player on defense makes a mistake, it impacts the entire team.

LB Patrick Queen echoed a similar sentiment, expressing frustration that while everyone realizes the issue, no one is taking action to fix it. Queen elaborated, saying, “It is at a point where you realize it and go out there and play fast and play physical and do your job.”

Fans can only speculate on who the mysterious struggling defender is, but there could be several names to investigate until more information is available, such as FS Minkah Fitzpatrick—whose playmaking ability has noticeably regressed in 2024.

Is there another defender whose poor performance is flying under the radar? As more information on the situation emerges, tune into Steelers Wire for consistently accurate and reliable updates.

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Is it time to hit the panic button on the Pittsburgh Steelers defense?

The Steelers’ defense has faltered in back-to-back losses, raising questions about their identity and playoff readiness.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have dropped to 10-5 following two consecutive losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens in Weeks 15 and 16, respectively.

While both of these teams boasted high-powered offenses, the Steelers’ defense has recently showcased a loss of identity. The Lamar Jackson-led Ravens offense produced over 400 yards in the Steelers’ loss, and the Eagles accomplished the same the previous week.

Back in November, the Steelers held the Ravens to 16 total points compared to the 34-17 blowout loss in Week 16. What truly changed—and should fans begin to panic?

It is understandable that exhaustion has set in for the Black and Gold, as the team is currently in the midst of playing three games against Super Bowl contenders in just a 10-day span.

Injuries are also a likely cause, with the team missing CB Joey Porter Jr., CB Donte Jackson, DT Larry Ogunjobi, and SS DeShon Elliott. Their absences impact all facets of the defensive side of the ball.

With the Steelers’ playoff spot clinched, keeping the team healthy should be the primary concern rather than forcing players who are less than 100% to play injured.

Don’t worry, Steelers fans—this defense will reign supreme once again!

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Steelers’ defense makes history for all the wrong reasons vs Ravens

Derrick Henry’s 162-yard rushing performance broke records, marking the most yards by a Ravens RB against the Steelers defense.

While the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers defense has enjoyed tremendous success throughout the season, Week 16’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens will be forever etched in history—at the expense of the Black and Gold.

Heading into the contest, the Pittsburgh Steelers boasted one of the NFL’s best run defenses, but Ravens RB Derrick Henry more than put them to the test—rushing for 162 yards on 24 attempts.

Henry’s Week 16 performance against the Steel City was not only dominant but also historic, as no other Ravens player had ever rushed for more yards against any Steelers defense.

To play devil’s advocate, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced one of the NFL’s greatest running backs of all-time in Henry—who is in the midst of his greatest season to date—while also missing one of the league’s best run defenders, DeShon Elliott, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

It is not only understandable why Henry set the Ravens’ rushing record against the Steelers, but it is also a valuable lesson during the regular season—allowing the defense to hone their craft ahead of a potential deep playoff run.

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Is DeShon Elliot the real MVP of Steelers defense?

DeShon Elliot’s absence highlights his immense impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense during their tough late-season stretch.

Much to the dismay of Steelers fans, the team’s Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles brought their Super Bowl aspirations crashing back down to Earth. Coupled with an extremely difficult final three weeks to close out the 2024 season, the negativity in the air is palpable.

However, analyzing what went wrong during these trying times has brought about a newfound appreciation for perhaps the best player on the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in 2024: SS DeShon Elliot.

PFF, while known for their less-than-remarkable grades for the Black and Gold, recognizes Elliot as the second-best run-stopping safety in the 2024 season.

Elliot missed the team’s Week 15 contest and is scheduled to miss the Week 16 contest against the Baltimore Ravens as well. His ability to stop the run, drop back into coverage, rush the passer, consistently make great tackles, and lead the secondary were all aspects sorely missed in the team’s loss to the Eagles. Without Elliot, the defense failed to stop the Philadelphia Eagles offense from taking over the second half in Week 15.

Could the absence of Elliot in Week 16 lead to consecutive losses for the Black and Gold, further solidifying his position as the MVP of the Steelers defense?

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Steelers fans would never guess what’s fueling defensive takeaways

The Steelers lead the NFL in turnovers is fueled by an unexpected motivator: T-shirts handed out to defenders for creating takeaways.

With athletes in today’s sports making upwards of $50 million per year, what could possibly still motivate them? It could be a mix of motivations—like building a legacy, chasing a championship, or even something as simple as… a T-shirt? You read that right. ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor wrote an intriguing article describing how the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is motivated by earning T-shirts for creating turnovers.

Pryor explained how Steelers outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin hands out T-shirts with phrases like “The Culture” and “Takeaways” printed on the front. These shirts are awarded individually to players involved in takeaways, such as OLB Preston Smith, who recovered a fumble against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. Smith described how the defense is going crazy over the shirts and how this simple idea has been incredibly effective in giving players extra motivation.

With the Steelers leading the NFL with 25 turnovers, perhaps the other 31 teams should try handing out clothing items. Minkah Fitzpatrick could snag his first turnover T-shirt with an interception against Jameis Winston and the Browns in Week 14.

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