Steelers' "Great Defense" Gets Exposed After Making NFL History For Horrendous Reason

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense was making headlines when the 2025 season was about to start, with predictions that they were on track to be historically dominant. However, through the first two weeks, those expectations have crumbled. In Week 1, the defense allowed the New York Jets to rack up 394 yards of total offense, struggling to contain even basic plays and failing to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback.

Week 2 offered no redemption. At home in Acrisure Stadium, the Steelers’ defense gave up 395 yards to a Sam Darnold-led Seattle Seahawks team, falling 31-17. Once again, the unit struggled to stop both the run and the pass, showing major gaps in coverage and a lack of cohesion in the front seven. The contrast between preseason hype and actual performance could not be more stark.

Seahawks insider Brian Nemhauser highlighted just how historically poor the Steelers’ defense looked on social media during Kenneth Walker III’s fourth-quarter 19-yard touchdown run. The play underscored the unit’s systemic issues, from missed tackles to blown assignments, and served as a stark reminder that this once-vaunted defense may be far from the juggernaut many expected heading into 2025.

A lot of Steelers fans are directing their frustration toward Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin. These two have the most influence over the defensive schemes from week to week, making them the natural targets when the unit struggles.

What makes fans even more frustrated is that former players who were part of Tomlin’s Steelers have noted that the defensive systems and schemes haven’t really changed over the years. If things are going as poorly as they are now, it raises serious questions about why a defense that was once respected is struggling so much. 

In the case of Walker’s fourth quarter touchdown run, it marked the first time in history that a situation like that unfolded and resulted in a score. The outcome may have been a loss either way, but the fact that this defense couldn’t even make a stop in that moment is deeply worrisome. Former players who competed against the Tomlin-led Steelers note that many of the same schemes and concepts are still in use. That’s where the frustration lies among the fan base.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that this defense is one of the highest-paid units in the NFL and loaded with talent. When a team with so many skilled players performs this poorly, it becomes hard to ignore that the issues likely stem from coaching decisions. For many fans, all signs point directly at Austin and Tomlin as the central figures responsible for the defensive woes.

Steelers' Tomlin And Austin Hopeful To Fix Mistakes Quickly

Obviously, Tomlin and Austin will be hopeful they can fix these defensive mistakes quickly. Typically, the Steelers defense starts the season strong and then falters as the year progresses. 

In this case, however, the defense looks awful right out of the gate. Not many have faith that Tomlin and Austin will make the right adjustments, but with all this talent and the season only getting tougher, all eyes are on them to quickly address these glaring issues.

Do you have any confidence that this defense can get better as the 2025 season goes on? Why or why not? 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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