Steelers Defender Stands Up For Defensive Line After Brutal Performance: "There's Only So Much [We] Can Do"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to bounce back from their horrific loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football in Week 7. The team will be hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in Week 8, which is not going to be an easy matchup. Pittsburgh lost to Cincinnati by a score of 33-31, as the offense had a great night aside from a pair of turnovers, while the defense could not find a way to slow down the Bengals throughout the contest.

The defense has taken a ton of heat for the way the group performed in the loss to Cincinnati. It was a complete embarrassment as the group got torn apart both on the ground and through the air. It was a concerning showing from one of the highest-paid defenses in the NFL, and the players and coaching staff have been under fire ever since the clock hit zero. 

Nose tackle Keeanu Benton went on The Christian Kuntz Podcast on Thursday, and he discussed the game for the defense while defending the defensive line.

"I ain't going to say it was more of a defensive back game, but, you know, when [Joe Flacco] getting that ball out fast, there's only so much the rush can do," Benton explained. "But, once the defensive back get him off his first read you know, we can get after him. He's not really mobile enough to get out of the pocket."

Benton seemingly tries to absolve the defensive front and the pass rush from much blame, and he does have a point. Joe Flacco was able to deliver the ball to his first read on the majority of his drop backs, which completely nullifies the opposing pass rush. However, it would have been nice to see the defensive line find a way to make some plays throughout the game.

The secondary did not make life easy on Benton and the rest of the pass rush. For much of the contest, by the time the group could get any sort of pressure, Flacco had already thrown the ball. However, the defensive front also struggled against the run, which is another concerning factor. Pittsburgh's run defense struggled at the end of the 2024 season and again to start the 2025 season, and just when fans thought the problem might have been fixed, the group took another step backwards. 

The run defense in the loss to Cincinnati is especially concerning because the Bengals had been one of the worst offenses in the NFL when it came to running the ball. Starting running back Chase Brown had not eclipsed 50 yards in a game during the 2025 season, but against Pittsburgh, he was able to do that in the first half before finishing with over 100 yards in the game.

Steelers Need More From Their Secondary Throughout The Remainder Of The 2025 Season

The Steelers have thrown a lot of resources into their defense, and the group has stars at every single level. The defense needs to find a way to play complementary football, because when it does, it will be at its best. If the secondary can force opposing quarterbacks to hold onto the football for a fraction of a second longer, it gives guys like TJ Watt, Benton, and/or Alex Highsmith time to make a play. Watt even made that point following the loss while speaking to the media when he was asked about the coverage from the Steelers during the game. 

The coaching staff needs to be sure it is putting its players in situations to succeed, especially in the secondary. The group got picked on way too much in the loss, and that can't happen moving forward.

What do you think about Benton's remarks? Let us know in the comments below!

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