Steelers Fans Get Silver Lining Following Pathetic Defensive Performance Against Seattle

The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun the 2025 season with a record of 1-1, which isn't bad, but the optimism surrounding the team is fairly bleak. The defense has struggled immensely throughout the first two weeks of the season against offenses that are not highly regarded around the league. Pittsburgh's defense is supposed to be the team's backbone, but right now, it is looking like a clear weakness that is going to hold the team back later on in the season. The Steelers always have playoff aspirations, but it is hard to imagine this team playing in the postseason at this juncture.

Pittsburgh was able to beat the New York Jets in Week 1 due to an offensive explosion from Aaron Rodgers and company, but the group lost in Week 2 to the Seattle Seahawks. The offense did not play as well, but the majority of the blame still feels like it might fall on the defense as the group gave up 24 points and allowed Seattle to run the clock down in the fourth quarter, eventually finding the end zone. It was a pitiful performance that needs to be corrected in the near future, but cornerback Darius Slay did have a bit of a silver-lining for fans during an appearance on The Richard Sherman Podcast.

"I told 'em, 'I ain't gonna bring up my last year team,' 'cause Philly, we had the same type of schedule," Slay said. "And we started off the same way 1-1. We wasn't feeling like we living up to the Philly standard and next think you know, we turn around after the bye week, number one defense in the league, Super Bowl champion. So I told them, 'Man, keep our composure and let's be detailed!'"

Slay was a starting cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024 season, and he was with the Eagles dating all the way back to 2020. Philadelphia had high expectations going into the 2024 season, especially on the defensive side of the football, and initially the team was not meeting those expectations. The Steelers are in a similar situation, but Slay knows there is hope to turn things around.

Slay and the birds went on to win Super Bowl LIX as they destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs, and a big reason for the team's success was its stifling defense. The Eagles started the season off with a 2-2 record before going into their bye week, and in those four games, the defense was not performing well, as it gave up over over 28 points twice. The group turned things around after the bye in Week 5, which is when Philadelphia was able to rip off 10 consecutive wins.

The Steelers are in similar spot as the team has a bye week in Week 5, which hopefully is a time where both sides of the ball will be able to improve noticeably. This early bye week will also allow players to get back to full health, as the defensive side of the ball is a bit beat up for it being so early in the season.

Steelers Will Need To Make Defensive Changes

Slay did not dive into the specifics of what turned things around for the Eagles in 2024, but surely they made some schematic and/or personnel changes. Pittsburgh is going to have to be willing to do the same things, as what is currently being put on the field on defense is not working. One noticeable area that likely needs to be changed is the nose tackle spot, as Keeanu Benton is getting wiped in certain run plays, which completely disrupts the rest of the defensive line and the inside linebackers. 

Pittsburgh has to be willing to make certain changes, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin has a history of being stubborn and sticking to what he knows.

What do you think about Slay's outlook on the defense? Let us know in the comments below!

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