The Pittsburgh Steelers got their bell rung by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, as the Pittsburgh defense could not seem to stop anything. Green Bay got the better of their former quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and the Steelers fell 35-25. This Cam Heyward-led defense, for the second consecutive week, allowed at least 30 points and over 450 total yards. Despite still being in first place in the AFC North at 4-3, it is clear that there are some very real issues that Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his defense need to address right now. Remember, the AFC-leading Indianapolis Colts, who lead the league in total offense (385.3 yards per game), are coming to Acrisure Stadium next week.
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Patrick Queen makes a tackle against the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
This Steelers' defense was so bad for a second consecutive week that former NFL head coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan took to Get Up on Monday morning to speak his mind.
"This is horrendous defensively. This is crazy. This is unrecognizable to me. This is not the Pittsburgh Steelers," Ryan said. "When you get old, you get slow and if you're slow, you can't do anything defensively. It was embarrassing as h**l from start to finish."
The former Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator hit the nail on the head with this take. Steelers DC Teryl Austin has put his unit in a position to allow at least 30 points in over half of the team's games in 2025. Defense is supposed to be the backbone of Pittsburgh, but it seems to be anything but right now. While Rodgers (68.3% completion rate) has done his best to hold everything together for the team, the 41-year-old doesn't appear to be enough to save Pittsburgh right now.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers sits in his locker before a home game at against the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
Now, the good news is that the Cincinnati Bengals fell to a record of 3-5 after losing to the previously winless New York Jets on Sunday. Additionally, the Cleveland Browns fell to 2-6 after losing to the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon, as well. While the Baltimore Ravens beat the Chicago Bears to earn their way to 2-5 overall, the Steelers still have some breathing room in the division. However, that breathing room could disappear if the defense continues to unravel.
Steelers Are Seemingly Out Of Answers Defensively
The Steelers make their name on defense through sacks and turnovers. However, after recording zero sacks and zero turnovers in Week 8, as well as allowing the Packers to record 28 second-half points, adjustments need to be made. Those adjustments need to start with small plays here and there. That means preventing big gains on first down. That means giving up a three-yard gain instead of an eight-yard gain. Pittsburgh has to find a way to set teams behind schedule because if they don't, they are going to have trouble if they are on their heels. It is honestly shocking that the Steelers still have a winning record, given their struggles defensively. They are allowing 386.0 yards per game on average, which is 30th in the NFL.
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Mike Tomlin speaking to the media following the Steelers' 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
This is why Mike Tomlin gets paid the big bucks. In his NFL-record 19th season with the Steelers, he is going to have to find another solution to another problem. This time, it is on defense. Having not won a playoff game in nearly a decade, this season feels different than most for Tomlin. Yes, having a future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback certainly adds to the pressure, but it should also help the team out. Rodgers is playing at a Pro Bowl level through seven games, but it hasn't been good enough because Tomlin hasn't been able to get the defense right. After a 4-1 start, the tension is starting to turn up in the Steel City. If the turmoil continues, the former Super Bowl winner could be looking for a job next offseason.
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