The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense didn’t do what many had expected it to in the Week 1 opener against the New York Jets. Luckily for the Steelers, they were able to walk away with a 34-32 win to get to 1-0 on the season. That’s thanks to the arm talent of new quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw four passing touchdowns on Sunday in the win.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin shakes hands with former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game as quarterback Russell Wilson looks on in the background.
Rodgers was almost perfect, going 22 of 30 for 244 passing yards as well. Many Steelers fans are worried about how this defense looked, though. This Steelers defense was seriously expected to be a strength in the 2025 NFL season. The way they played against the Jets gave fans a real reason for worry. Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward spoke about the defensive issues on Thursday while chatting with Ray Fittipaldo.
Heyward didn’t shy away from addressing the concerns, acknowledging that the defense didn’t play up to the standard expected in Pittsburgh. He pointed out missed assignments, poor tackling, and a lack of communication that allowed the Jets to put up more points than anyone anticipated. While the offense, led by Rodgers, bailed them out in the opener, Heyward made it clear that relying solely on offensive firepower isn’t sustainable if the team hopes to make a deep playoff run this season.
"I don’t think it’s done in one game," veteran defensive end Cam Heyward said Thursday morning. "We have to answer for that. Guys have to get off blocks. Up front, if we get doubled, we still have to maintain our gaps. Everyone has an assignment. Run defense isn’t just an up front job. It all works together. We can’t make excuses for it, but we have to be better."
The veteran defensive lineman stressed the importance of accountability, saying that every player needs to take a hard look at their performance and make the necessary adjustments heading into Week 2. Heyward emphasized that the Steelers’ identity has always been rooted in dominant, physical defense, and straying away from that standard is unacceptable. With leaders like him setting the tone, the Steelers will look to clean up their mistakes quickly, knowing tougher tests are right around the corner.
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Steelers superstar pass rusher TJ Watt talks with longtime defensive leader Cam Heyward during training camp.
The Steelers' defense doesn’t have much time to dwell on their Week 1 performance. With another strong opponent on the horizon, the defense has to prove that what happened against the Jets was more of an early-season stumble than a sign of bigger problems.
Steelers' Defense Must Respond Quickly In Week 2
Heyward’s message should serve as a wake-up call for a unit that has the talent to dominate, but can’t afford to start slow. The offense showed it can score points behind Rodgers, but this team will only go as far as the defense carries it. The defense got a big stop on that final drive when it mattered most, but they can't simply rely on those moments to show up all season long.
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Steelers' Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay during their debuts against the New York Jets in 2025.
Pittsburgh fans expect a bounce-back effort in Week 2, at home against the Seattle Seahawks, and the Steelers' defense will have every chance to deliver. If they clean up the mistakes, this group can quickly remind the league why they’re considered one of the NFL’s most dangerous defenses. TJ Watt, Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, and the rest of the group will look for redemption on Sunday against Sam Darnold.
How confident are you in the Steelers' ability to get their defense cleaned up before Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.
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