It’s Clear The Steelers’ Defensive Line Is A Cause For Concern And Karl Dunbar Has A Lot To Prove

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently putting together a roster that makes it clear the team is in a win now mode, and success in the playoffs has always been the standard, despite the recent struggles. While Omar Khan is doing everything he can to put the best roster together, a lot of Steeler Nation has questions on whether they have the right people to execute based on Khan’s roster construction. 

A lot of the heat tends to be directed at Head Coach Mike Tomlin, and that can be justified at times as he is the one responsible for the performance of every one on the team. Despite that very pointed criticism, there is often other culprits to point to when some groups do not perform up to the necessary standards. Do we need to talk about Matt Canada’s performance again? 

One of those culprits could potentially be Karl Dunbar, who has served as the team’s defensive line coach since 2018. During Dunbar’s tenure leading that unit, there really hasn’t been any defensive linemen that were developed within the team’s system to end up performing at a high level. Outside of Keeanu Benton, who the team drafted in the second round in 2023, there hasn’t been any defensive linemen drafted by the Steelers that lived up to expectations since Javon Hargrave (drafted in 2016). 

We have yet to see much development from DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk, who were the last two defensive linemen drafted before the previously mentioned Benton, and the team’s defensive line suffered with lack of depth, aging veterans, and injuries the last year or two. 

This trend of lack of development has caught the eye of many fans, as well as many members of the media. During his weekly chat, Gerry Dulac was asked about Dunbar’s performance and if the defensive line should be a concern? Here is Mediocre Mikey’s question below. 

“Is it time to start questioning the work of Karl Dunbar? Javon Hargrave is the last DL that developed into a good player and he had John Mitchell as his position coach his first couple years. Keeanu Benton came in ready to contribute day one and the rest have mostly either regressed or never arrived.”

I don’t think there are many people who could put together a logical argument against these comments or this question. Dulac didn’t pull any punches as he got right to the point also when answering. 

“I think the defensive line has been and remains a major concern.” 

While that isn't a direct shot at Dunbar, he is the one directly responsible for the defensive line and the development of those players. The performance of the defensive line throughout the last decade has largely been carried by the performance of Cam Heyward, as he has played at an elite level for almost his entire career. However, when he isn’t performing at that same high level like in 2023 when he played through an injury, the defensive line wasn’t the same. 

Dunbar will benefit from having Heyward for at least another season, and now has another young player in Logan Lee to try to develop. Lee was the Steelers' sixth-round pick this past NFL Draft. Between Loudermilk, Leal, and Lee, there needs to be one that proves to be a quality player this season, or the Steelers will likely struggle on defense. 

Steelers’ Cam Heyward Still Leading Despite Missing OTAs

The Steelers started OTAs recently, but were missing a very familiar face in Heyward. The defense seems a bit bleak without the veteran lining up alongside his teammates, but just because he isn’t physically present, doesn’t mean he isn’t being a leader to the younger guys in the room. 

When speaking with the media in the locker room, Benton revealed that Heyward is reaching out and still trying to be in touch to make sure the young guys are getting the guidance they need. True leaders don’t need to be present to have an impact, and it is clear that Heyward has that capability. Let’s hope it leads to the younger group of defensive linemen developing into playmakers. 

Do you think the Steelers’ defensive line is in a tough spot? Is Dunbar to blame? Let us know in the comments below!

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