The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. It was a heartbreaking defeat as it felt like Pittsburgh squandered many opportunities in the matchup, and the defense struggled once again, which is very concerning. The Steelers could not stop the run or the pass in the game, but the defense did look slightly better than it did in Week 1. Overall, the defense has been disappointing as there was a lot of hype surrounding the unit coming into the season, but it has not lived up to its potential as the highest-paid defense in the league.
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Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt (90) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Pittsburgh gave up nearly 400 yards to the Seahawks while allowing 117 yards on the ground. This is now a consistent issue for Pittsburgh that dates back to the 2024 season, and it is certainly concerning considering how much pride the franchise has when it comes to stopping the run. Star outside linebacker TJ Watt spoke to the media following the loss, and he stated that stopping the run is the primary and first focus of every week.
"There's always an emphasis on the run." Watt said. "The first note of every week is smash the run. You guys have heard me say it for nine years. We're always trying to smash the run. It's not a lack of trying, schematically, effort. I don't know. We'll have to look at the film, but we need to be better."
This is concerning since the defense and coaching staff puts a focus on stopping the run at the start of every single week, but the issue remains and is getting worse. The first sign of a serious struggle stopping the run came at the end of the 2024 season, and it has become evident that the issue had stayed with the team going into 2025.
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 in East Rutherford, NJ.
Pittsburgh got gashed on the ground in Week 1 against the New York Jets, and the performance against the Seahawks wasn't any better. The Steelers were able to escape Week 1 with a win, but the defense ultimately cost Pittsburgh the game in Week 2. There were other factors that went into the loss, including a mind boggling special teams error, but the defense is by far Pittsburgh's most concerning problem.
Whatever the Steelers are doing is not working when it comes to stopping the run. The scheme does not work, whether that means the specific plays being called in the game or the way the scheme is being implemented throughout the week.
This is not a problem that starts and ends with the players on the field, as the coaching staff has to take some responsibility for the issue. If the problem continues throughout the 2025 season Pittsburgh is going to have a very hard time getting into the postseason and finding a way to advance.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward and TJ Watt look on as practice unfolds during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Need To Find A Way To Combat The Run Game
Pittsburgh's identity has always been running the ball while also being able to stop the run. The Steelers have not been able to do either of those things in 2025, and it must be fixed before the season gets away from the franchise. Opposing offenses play Pittsburgh and run to the left on nearly every attempt.
This is due to the presence of Watt on the other side of the formation, which should make game planning to stop the run a bit easier. If the ball is being ran Pittsburgh more than likely knows it is going to the left side or up the middle, this fact needs to be used to the defense's advantage, and it is something the coaching staff has not been able to find a way to utilize.
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