The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense was expected to be one of the best in the league. Through two weeks, they have allowed the New York Jets to rack up 394 yards of total offense, followed by the Seattle Seahawks putting up 395 yards. In Week 1, the Steelers escaped with a win, so the struggles were not a huge concern.
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Steelers coaches Mike Tomlin (left), Karl Dunbar (middle) and Teryl Austin (right) stand on the sideline during a home game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
Against Seattle, however, the defense looked vulnerable at the worst possible times, giving up big plays and allowing the Seahawks to control the game. For a unit loaded with talent and carrying some of the biggest contracts in football, the performance was more than disappointing and raised plenty of alarms.
Steelers two-time Super Bowl champion Trai Essex made his feelings clear, taking to social media during and after the loss to voice his frustration. Essex did not hold back, calling out the Steelers leadership for the defensive collapse. While he avoided dropping specific names, his message was clear. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin and Head Coach Mike Tomlin need to take accountability. According to many Steelers fans, Austin shoulders about 90 percent of the blame for the poor preparation and lack of adjustments.
"The reason you trade for and sign VETS is so you DON’T have to ease into it," Essex said while ranting on his social media following the loss. "This defense is awful two games in, and there is NO excuse. I don’t want to hear that you have to wait for guys to mesh. They are fundamentally BAD. Thirty-plus points given up two weeks in a row. Guys getting manhandled. I’m sorry, but heads have to roll early. This is absolute BS."
Essex’s criticism points to a growing concern in Pittsburgh. The Steelers invested heavily in this defense with the expectation that it would dominate opponents and carry the team while the offense finds its identity. Instead, the unit has looked out of sync, unprepared, and unable to make the big stops when it matters most. When a former Super Bowl champion publicly calls out the coaching staff, it shows that frustration is boiling over not only with the fans but also with those who understand what it takes to win in Pittsburgh.
Steelers.com
Former Steelers offensive linemen Trai Essex making a play during his time in the Steel City.
It sounds like Essex may have been talking about new safety Jabrill Peppers. During the Seattle loss, the Steelers didn’t put Peppers on the field in the defensive rotation. He did play on special teams, but did not get any meaningful defensive snaps. That clearly rubbed Essex the wrong way and seemed to be one of the main points he was making in his post.
Steelers' Defense May Be In Trouble
His argument is that Peppers is a seasoned veteran who has been in countless situations and seen a lot over his career. From Essex’s perspective, Peppers could have stepped in and performed just fine. On the other hand, Austin and Tomlin were obviously hesitant to throw him into the game.
AP
Steelers’ superstar TJ Watt delivering a powerful sack on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, showcasing his relentless pass-rushing skills and game-changing impact on the field.
Either way, it didn’t matter, as the Steelers defense looked like Swiss cheese on Sunday against Seattle. When you pay TJ Watt $41 million and have players like Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and many other talented athletes, letting the Seahawks offense put up 24 points on your defense isn’t going to win you many games in the modern NFL. Many are starting to believe this Steelers defense may be in trouble.
The Steelers fired Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada during the 2023 season. Do you think there's any chance the Steelers could fire Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin in 2025? 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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