Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Definitely Behind Pittsburgh's Defensive Design: "Nobody Else"

The Pittsburgh Steelers struggled on the defensive side of the ball to begin the 2025 season. They allowed 32 points in a Week 1 clash with the New York Jets, as former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields was able to compile 218 passing yards, and three total touchdowns on the ground and through the air against the Black and Gold. The defense will need to get off to a quick start in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks as Head Coach Mike Tomlin expressed his concerns with the defensive efforts following Sunday's win.

Tomlin was particularly concerned with the Steelers' run defense. Pittsburgh allowed a total of 182 yards on the ground against a run-heavy Jets offense as New York was able to record three total rushing touchdowns on Sunday. With speculation continuing to surround the Steelers' run defense, insider Gerry Dulac from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette took a moment to answer fans' questions surrounding the state of the Steelers' defense following Week 1.

Dulac was asked if the defensive problems stem from a talent, or design issue, while also being asked which coach is truly behind the defensive design.

"The talent changes, though not nearly enough, but the pattern doesn't," Dulac wrote. "And the defense is designed by Mike Tomlin and nobody else."

The Steelers will need to stop the run against the Seahawks in Week 2. Seattle may not run the ball as much as New York did in Week 1, but they still have an extremely promising running back duo in Kenneth Walker lll and Zach Charbonnet. 

Pittsburgh is expected to be short-handed on the defensive line once again in Week 2, as promising rookie Derrick Harmon has been listed as out with a knee injury.

TJ Watt and Cam Heyward will play crucial roles in stopping the Seahawks' ground game this Sunday. Both veterans have spent their entire careers as major components on the Steelers' defense and are both expected to be top contributors throughout 2025. Watt and Heyward will find themselves taking on increased responsibility with Harmon's absence, making it all the more vital that both veterans establish their presence early on.

Steelers' Addition Of Jabrill Peppers Adds Key Depth To Secondary Following A Brutal Injury

The Steelers announced earlier this week that they have signed safety Jabrill Peppers after he was released by the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh signed Peppers following a knee injury to safety DeShon Elliott in Week 1's matchup against the Jets, as Elliott is now expected to miss at least the next couple of weeks. A first-round pick out of Michigan in 2017, Peppers has put together a very solid NFL career and will instantly add solid depth to the Steelers' secondary. 

Peppers is a talented veteran who has spent the last three seasons in New England. His release from the Patriots may come as a surprise to some, but he appeared in just six games throughout the 2024 season and dealt with multiple foot and hamstring injuries all year. Peppers could prove to be an excellent addition with Elliott missing at least the next couple of weeks as the former Patriot will officially make his Steelers debut on Sunday.

The Steelers will need to do a better job in stopping the run against the Seahawks this weekend. Both Walker and Charbonnet are talented running backs that have explosive play making ability as shutting them down will be essential all afternoon. Pittsburgh will host the Seahawks in Week 2 for the first home game of the year as the Steelers' defensive unit will look to play better as whole.

Do you think Tomlin will have his defense ready to roll in Week 2? Let us know what you think in the comments down below!

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