The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has been very disappointing to kick off the 2025 season. Once considered one of the top units in the league, they have struggled through their first two games, raising concerns among fans and analysts alike. Missed assignments, slow adjustments, and inconsistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks have all contributed to a shaky start, leaving questions about whether this defense can live up to expectations.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Injuries have only compounded the Steelers’ struggles. In the secondary, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and safety DeShon Elliott are both sidelined and will be unavailable for the Week 3 matchup against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Their absence leaves significant gaps in coverage and puts added pressure on the remaining defensive backs to step up. Head Coach Mike Tomlin indicated that new safety Jabrill Peppers will see substantial playing time, signaling the team’s trust in him to help stabilize the defense.
Peppers, who joined the Steelers recently, enters the game with extra motivation. Having been released by the Patriots just a few weeks ago, this matchup carries a personal narrative for him. His familiarity with New England’s offense and his desire to make an immediate impact could play a key role in helping the Steelers shore up a defense that has struggled early in the season. Peppers detailed just how important this matchup against New England is for him.
"I'm the type of guy that this does mean a little more for me," Peppers said while speaking about the revenge narrative. "This is the first time I had a situation like this—getting cut and then playing the team that cuts you just two weeks later."
The Patriots began a new era when they hired Mike Vrabel as their head coach. Peppers suggested that the Patriots released him because they didn’t believe he fit into Vrabel’s system.
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Former Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers looks on before a game.
Vrabel has denied that, but Peppers maintains that it’s what happened. For him, seeing the field against New England will be an opportunity to prove that the Patriots should never have let him go.
"Typically, in other places, I was there the whole year and then they didn’t sign me back," Peppers said. "That happened with the Giants and Cleveland. I'm used to that. You can't let your emotions get the best of you. You have to treat it like another game, but if I’m being honest, it’s definitely going to be a little extra for me."
It’s not often that a player gets a chance to prove himself to the team that released him so quickly. For Peppers, he didn’t get much opportunity in Week 2 as he was just arriving in the Steel City. Now, it sounds like Tomlin is ready to turn the veteran safety loose.
Steelers' Hopeful Jabrill Peppers Can Help Struggling Defense
It’s no secret that this highly paid Steelers defense has failed to live up to the hype heading into the season. The good news, if there is any, is that it’s only Week 3. There’s still plenty of time for the defense to get right before the season starts to become seriously daunting.
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Steelers' Jabrill Peppers before his first game at Acrisure Stadium during the 2025 season.
The losses of Alex Highsmith, Porter, and Elliott have certainly hurt the unit. However, getting Peppers on the field could make a difference. The Steelers are hopeful that Peppers can help this struggling defense turn things around. Peppers has had a solid career in the NFL. When he has been healthy, he has been a difference maker. The Steelers are eager to see what he can do in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans can expect to see less of Chuck Clark and more of Peppers in Week 3.
Are you expecting to see Jabrill Peppers make a difference for the Steelers on Sunday? 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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