The Pittsburgh Steelers boast the highest-paid defensive unit in the NFL for the 2024 season. Many pundits expected the unit, led by stars like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, to make Pittsburgh the best defense in the league. Early in the season, the Steelers’ defense lived up to those lofty expectations, consistently shutting down opposing offenses.
Associated Press
Steelers' Cameron Heyward, TJ Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrate after a big play.
However, over the last three games, Pittsburgh’s defense has been exposed by three of the league’s top teams, raising serious concerns about the unit's ability to perform against elite competition. While injuries at key positions have undoubtedly played a role in this regression, every team faces similar challenges at this point in the season, and injuries alone cannot excuse the unit's recent shortcomings.
Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin has found himself under intense scrutiny for the defense's recent struggles. Despite having one of the most talented groups in the league, Austin has been outcoached in critical moments, failing to make the necessary adjustments to counter high-powered offenses. His schemes have appeared predictable, and opposing coordinators have exploited mismatches with ease. Austin spoke to the media on Wednesday, but his comments aren't likely to inspire Steeler Nation.
"We know what we are and what our identity should be," Austin said. "What do you do to get that back and get back in the right direction? It’s not gonna be doing new things this late, just reinforcing things."
When addressing the media following the team’s latest defensive collapse, Austin’s comments did little to restore confidence in his leadership. Rather than offering solutions or accountability, his words came across as defensive and lacking urgency.
Lucy Schaly / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Teryl Austin smiles while talking to the media.
The main concern with his controversial comments revolved around the fact that he admitted there isn't going to be many changes at this point in the season.
"I would much rather have them be emotional and be upset about things not going their way than not giving a sh**," Austin said. "Our guys give a sh**."
Steelers fans expect excellence from their defense, and right now, it feels like Austin is struggling to provide answers. With the season entering a critical juncture, the Steelers need their star-studded defense to step up—and they need Austin to prove he can lead them through adversity.
Steelers' Teryl Austin Has Underachieved With A Loaded Roster
The primary complaint from Steelers fans about Austin centers on the fact that he has a star-studded defense at his disposal. Many defensive masterminds would dream of coaching a unit with half the talent Pittsburgh boasts. Yet, when facing the NFL's elite teams, this defense has repeatedly fallen apart. To be fair, injuries in the secondary have been a significant challenge, and Watt is clearly playing through an injury that has limited his effectiveness.
Still, those factors don’t excuse Travis Kelce being left wide open. The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, which has struggled to find consistency all season, carved up the Steelers with ease. The Philadelphia Eagles had a clear blueprint for exploiting Pittsburgh's weaknesses, and the Baltimore Ravens seemed to toy with the secondary throughout their matchup. Slowing down high-powered offenses is never easy, but the harsh truth is that Austin’s defense was thoroughly outschemed in each of these losses.
AP
Steelers' TJ Watt sacking Bengals' Joe Burrow.
If the Steelers hope to make a deep postseason run, Austin must find answers—and fast. He has stated that he doesn’t plan to make sweeping changes but remains confident that his unit can correct its mistakes. Steelers fans will be eagerly watching to see if Austin’s defense can bounce back, especially with a red-hot Cincinnati Bengals offense led by Joe Burrow looming on the schedule.
#SteelerNation
