"I Was Just Disappointed": Former Steelers DB Patrick Peterson Was Astounded With Continuous Busted Coverages Against The Chiefs

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some big issues to deal with, and surprisingly most of them are on the defensive side of the ball. The offense has its fair share of problems, including inconsistent play from the offensive line and starting games slow, but the defense has been what has plagued Pittsburgh over its three-game losing streak. The group has been injured at times which has obviously hindered the performance of the unit, but the way the defense is currently playing is unacceptable with the playoffs right around the corner.

Pittsburgh has given up at least 27 points on defense in its last three losses. With how limited the offense has been throughout the 2024 season, giving up that many points is a recipe for disaster. The issues on defense seem to come in pass coverage. During the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, there were too many occasions where players were running wide open, which made Patrick Mahomes' job easy. Former Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson went on his podcast 1st & Pod, where he shared how disappointed he was with his former teammates. 

"Yeah, I was just disappointed." Peterson said. "Disappointed to see how many busted coverages that you know, that we saw in that game. And it was time and time again, especially in the second half."

It became clear that something wasn't clicking for the defense in the second half as they struggled to get Kansas City's offense off of the field and shut down Mahomes. The quarterback threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns while beating Pittsburgh, and a lot of that production came off of busted coverages. Players have been speaking on miscommunication over this three-game losing streak, but that being the excuse at this point in the season is just unacceptable. 

Typically, the Steelers are a very disciplined team, but that hasn't been the case as of late. Players have been calling out teammates after games for not fulfilling their responsibilities on certain plays, and it seems like there is a few defenders trying to play "hero ball" that are hurting the unit as a whole. Head Coach Mike Tomlin should be able to fix this issue quickly, but it is a little bit concerning that it has seemed to go on for three weeks.

The Steelers will have a chance to bounce back in Week 18 as they will host the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals will be an interesting test as they have one of the most potent passing games in the league. Cincinnati also may be playing for a playoff spot in Week 18, which should make the matchup even more interesting. It is crucial that Pittsburgh uses this opportunity to iron out whatever issues the team is having defensively while also re-gaining some confidence ahead of the postseason.

Steelers Could Be Interested In Patrick Peterson Ahead Of Playoffs

Peterson spent the 2023 season with the Steelers before being released during the 2024 offseason. He was on a bad contract, so his release could be considered a cap casualty, while he also didn't have his best season. Joey Porter Jr. is currently down with a knee injury, while there are clear issues within the secondary. A fix for both of those issues could be bringing in Peterson, who has experience within the system and is a veteran with plenty of experience.

The veteran could provide depth on the outside, while also being able to fill in anywhere else within the secondary. Peterson would likely be fairly cheap, and it is something the organization should consider if the issues on defense continue.

What do you think about Peterson's comments? Would you like to see him back? Let us know in the comments below!

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