Insider: Steelers Secondary Is Not Good Enough And No Trade Or Scheme Change Will Fix It

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are once again confused about the state of the team after an embarrassing loss in Week 8. This time, the score was 35-25 at home against the Green Bay Packers, despite having a 16-7 lead at halftime. They gave up 28 points in the second half, leading to multiple players admitting that there was not enough fight in the collective unit throughout the game. If nothing changes now, the rest of the season will look like these past two weeks, and jobs will be on the line. 

Insider Mark Kaboly does not believe that there is anything this team can do unfortunately. This is the bed that the Steelers made, and now they have to lie in it for the rest of the season.

"Beyond [Omar] Khan going out next week at the trade deadline and pulling off a stunner to help out this flawed secondary, it is what it is," Kaboly said. "They are what they are, and that’s not good enough. No trade or scheme change will fix it."

If that is the case, this team is surely hopeless in the eyes of many. Head Coach Mike Tomlin specifically wanted these players for his defense, and they all have severely struggled during their time in Pittsburgh thus far. Beating the Cleveland Browns at home is not a good way to measure how good the Steelers truly are, and they are figuring that out quickly. 

The Steelers are in the bottom third of numerous categories, including total yards allowed per game and passing yards allowed per game. If it wasn't for the Browns and playing in that one turnover-fest against the New England Patriots, they would be a lot worse than 22nd in the league in points allowed. They have allowed at least 30 points in four of their seven contests. 

Cornerback Darius Slay has been linked to the Steelers for years, and they finally got him in free agency this past offseason. However, the game film shows that he has lost a step and can't do what he did in recent years. He has also been a horrendous tackler, which led to him getting benched at the end of the loss to the Packers. His snap count will likely continue to decrease. 

Minkah Fitzpatrick was scapegoated by the Steelers, and they shipped him off for Jalen Ramsey. The issue with that is Fitzpatrick was the one player on this secondary that was capable of playing zone coverage at a high level, and now he's gone. Meanwhile, Ramsey does not seem to be a fit. Tomlin praised his versatility and wanted to use it, but Ramsey has been caught out of position numerous times so far this season.

To replace Fitzpatrick, the Steelers went to the bargain bin. Ramsey switching positions, Juan Thornhill, and Chuck Clark have not been able to replicate the ability of the former First Team All-Pro safety. To make things worse, DeShon Elliott is injured again, and there is no timeline for his return. 

Steelers' Preferred Defense Does Not Work Anymore

The Steelers' gameplan for years has been blatantly obvious: let TJ Watt work his magic, so the secondary can reap the benefits of his work. The problem is Watt is on the decline and is no longer playing at a generational level. Smart football teams are double-teaming him and scheming him out of the game. Not only does this defensive strategy not work anymore, but the secondary is too old and slow to make up for Watt seemingly losing a step.

What do you think about Kaboly saying the Steelers have no hope in the secondary, even with trade or new scheme? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

#SteelerNation