Steelers' Payton Wilson Admits Big Problem That Ruined 2024 Season Still Exists

The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to barely slip past the New York Jets in an electrifying Week 1 victory. The fan base is likely stoked about how well the offense looked with Aaron Rodgers under center, but there were some concerning issues that popped up on the other side of the ball. The defense didn't seem to be on the same page, and there were clear weaknesses that were evident to anyone watching. The highest-paid defensive unit in the league has several inconsistencies to clear up if the team is going to have a chance at making a playoff run in 2025.

The Steelers had a very rough outing when it came to stopping the run, a trend that was one of the reasons why Pittsburgh fell apart at the end of the 2024 campaign. Communication was a very common subject that came up a year ago, and it appears as if that still may be an issue. If the offense can play closely to as it did on Sunday in New York, the defense will seriously need to get its act together. The franchise could have a chance to be very successful.

One intriguing piece to the puzzle is inside linebacker, Payton Wilson. The former third-round pick earned a starting role, which excited fans due to his speed and athleticism. Speaking to the media after beating the Jets, he admitted that adjustments were not made nearly quick enough, something that could suggest poor coaching in the middle of the game.

"Week 1, just a lot of new guys around," Wilson said. "We have to communicate, continue to make adjustments on field and not wait so long to make them. I think that it's just all about getting back in the film room and be able to correct those things."

The Steelers cannot afford to have a defense as expensive as it is perform so poorly. While the group did come up with two big stops late in the contest, there are several other offenses in the AFC that are scarier than what the Jets put out on the field. Preparation prior to games will be crucial, but in-game adjustments are arguably just as important.

It may come off as Wilson was unhappy with the coaching staff for not helping the players make adjustments, but the second-year linebacker took a different approach. He acknowledged that the Steelers have the right minds on the sidelines, but the individuals on the field with pads on need to do a better job of executing what is being asked of them.

"I think we have the pieces," Wilson noted. "We have the right people calling the plays. We just have to execute what they are calling."

Execution is often blamed by players and coaches alike when things go wrong for Pittsburgh. At some point, there have to be other answers. Wilson attempted to take some accountability, but the main thing to keep an eye on will be the defensive unit making adjustments very early on in matchups if things go south. Waiting until the second half is a recipe for disaster against playoff teams, so the Steelers did get relatively lucky to come out of Sunday's Week 1 contest with a victory.

Steelers Should Not Force Offense To Be Perfect Throughout 2025

It was awesome to watch Rodgers and co. put on a clinic on the offensive end, but there's a reason Pittsburgh pays the defense so well. That unit's job is to take pressure off of the offense, which is why Sunday was very concerning, to a degree. Moving forward, adjustments need to be made much sooner, as Wilson noted. It also won't hurt to have better game-plans going into each pivotal weekly matchup.

Do you think that the Steelers already have some communication issues on the defensive side of the ball? Let us know in the comments below!

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