Tag: Steelers Defense

Steelers LB Patrick Queen reveals what happened to the defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers defense fell off a cliff after starting the 2024 NFL season with as a top-ranked unit.

The Pittsburgh Steelers began the 2024 NFL season with a top-ranked defense that was the cornerstone of their early success. Known for their relentless pass rush and disciplined run-stopping ability, the unit carried the team through many nail-biting victories in the first half of the schedule. But as the season progressed, the Steelers’ defensive dominance unraveled, ultimately contributing to their early exit from the playoffs.

Their struggles were on full display during the wild card round against the Baltimore Ravens, where they suffered a 28-14 loss. Linebacker Patrick Queen candidly reflected on the team’s defensive collapse:

We just got too comfortable. We started chasing too many things. We just let off the pedal. That’s why we’re in the position we’re in.

This statement highlights a key issue: Complacency. As the Steelers’ defense grew confident in their abilities, they seemed to lose focus on fundamentals and team discipline — two things Mike Tomlin constantly preaches. Opposing offenses began exploiting gaps, leading to struggles both in stopping the run and defending the pass.

The Steelers’ collapse reminds us that maintaining excellence in the NFL requires sustained effort and focus. Without it, even the league’s top-ranked defenses can fall from grace.

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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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Can the Steelers finally solve their Patrick Mahomes problem?

Patrick Mahomes has dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in past matchups, but this Christmas Day clash arguably features their best defense yet.

To keep it short and more bitter than sweet, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has owned the Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

There is no sugarcoating his domination of the Black and Gold, as through his two regular-season games against the Steelers—in 2018 and 2021—Mahomes has thrown for nine touchdowns, zero interceptions, and 584 passing yards, all while averaging an incredible 148.2 passer rating.

If these stats don’t strike fear into the hearts of all Steelers fans, Mahomes has won two more Super Bowls since last playing against the Black and Gold.

His numbers in 2024, while they look pedestrian compared to some of his better statistical seasons—such as his MVP campaign in 2018, when Mahomes threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 TDs—still prove his ability to win football games.

What makes this particular Week 17 Christmas Day matchup between Mahomes and the Steelers interesting is that this may be the very best Pittsburgh defense the two-time MVP award winner has ever faced.

The Steelers are set to get back several key defensive starters for the matchup as well, which could present the Mahomes-led Chiefs offense with a real challenge in Week 17 on Christmas Day at 1:00 PM EST.

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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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Defeat rival playoff contender Ravens with zero touchdowns? Yes, the Steelers did.

The Pittsburgh Steelers proved not all wins are pretty, reverting to their pre-Russell Wilson approach of stout defense and clutch kicker.

One thing is for sure in the NFL: Not all wins are pretty. The Pittsburgh Steelers were proof of that this afternoon, reverting to their pre-Russell Wilson approach of a stout defense and a clutch kicker.

For the second time this season, the Steelers managed a zero-touchdown win thanks to 18 points off six field goals. Pittsburgh previously took this same path to victory under a Justin Fields-led offense versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.

It’s a testament to Chris Boswell‘s talents and to the defense’s overall quality—especially against a two-headed, top-ranked Ravens offense of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

Heading into Week 11, Jackson was the NFL’s second-most yardage thrower. The defense held him to 207 yards, Jackson’s first sub-200-yard game since Week 4 versus the Buffalo Bills.

Likewise, Henry was the league’s top running back with 1,185 rushing yards. His 65-yard outing was the fewest since Week 1 at the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Could Preston Smith be the lifeline for Steelers defense?

With Alex Highsmith set to miss time with an ankle injury, the Preston Smith acquisition may have saved the Steelers’ defense.

When Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and the Steelers front office acquired OLB Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, many began to speculate if this was the biggest steal of the trade deadline. Alex Highsmith’s apparent ankle injury in Week 10 against the Washington Commanders further solidifies Smith’s acquisition as one of the greatest trades of 2024.

While backup Nick Herbig performed admirably, the Steelers went 2-2 in games that Highsmith missed, highlighting the need for a veteran edge rusher opposite T.J. Watt.

Smith, having played 156 games with 138 starts in his 10-year career, is exactly what could save the Steelers’ defense with Highsmith set to miss time.

Used sparingly in Week 10, Smith still managed to record a sack on rookie QB Jayden Daniels.

The ‘Khan Artist’ truly struck gold in acquiring Smith’s talents, and this move could reshape the entire landscape of the Pittsburgh defense. The 31-year old Smith will look to fill the void left by Highsmith, and aims to start with sacking Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson in Week 11.

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Pittsburgh should acquire former All-Pro CB via trade

The Los Angeles Rams are discussing CB Tre’Davious White’s future with the team, and a trade seems likely. Could Pittsburgh acquire him?

While Pittsburgh Steelers fans clamor for General Manager Omar Khan to pull the trigger on acquiring a veteran wide receiver, one interesting trade target could make the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense even more frightening.

The Los Angeles Rams have been linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers in recent days, with rumors of a possible trade for All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp.  However, this trade failed to gain momentum.  There is another All-Pro veteran player on the Rams’ roster, though, who seems to have been given a green light to seek a potential trade.

29-year old Rams’ All-Pro CB Tre’Davious White, drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, has discussed his future with Los Angeles and a trade seems likely.

Khan could potentially add another established and talented veteran to an already great Steelers’ defense.  White would complement the teams needs, as CB depth was an area of concern heading into the 2024 season.

The possible addition of White to a cornerback room that contains Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson, Beanie Bishop Jr., and the returning Cameron Sutton is a scary unit for any offense to throw against.

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Steelers vs Chargers promises to be defensive showdown

The two best defenses in the NFL square off on Sunday.

Through two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have only allowed 16 points. Last week the Steelers held the Denver Broncos to just six points. Only one team has allowed fewer points through two games. That would be this week’s opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Steelers and Chargers square off this week in a battle of the nine remaining undefeated teams and the two best scoring defenses in the league. For the season, Los Angeles has only allowed 13 points.

While being No. 2 in points allowed, the Steelers are No. 5 in yards allowed through two games. The Chargers are tops in points allowed under new head coach Jim Harbaugh and are No. 2 in yards allowed as well.

Both of these teams want to pound the football on the ground and play tough defense. If you are a fan of old-school, smash-mouth football, this could be the game to watch this weekend.

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Steelers DC Teryl Austin needs to be on the hot seat this season

The Steelers defense has underachieved in recent years despite being the most expensive in the NFL.

During the Pittsburgh Steelers current playoff win drought, fingers have been pointed squarely at head coach Mike Tomlin and former offense coordinator Matt Canada. And rightfully so. But we cannot, in good conscience just ignore the fact that there might not be a coordinator in the league who does less with more like Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

The Steelers boast the most expensive defense in the NFL with the team’s top four cap hits all coming on that side of the football. Edge defender T.J. Watt, defensive tackle Cam Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick combine for a whopping $74.2 million against a salary cap of just north of $216 million.

Despite all this, the Steelers defense has been just as inconsistent as the offense in recent seasons. The same criticisms of slow starts, inconsistent effort and lapses in concentration and communication have plagued this group.

The Steelers have gone to great lengths this offseason to rebuild the offense while still adding some huge pieces on defense including linebacker Patrick Queen and cornerback Donte Jackson. At some point, if this unit continues to underachieve, Austin will have to be held accountable for those failures.

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