The Pittsburgh Steelers have been an unrecognizable team during the 2025 season. The defense has been atrocious throughout the year as the group seems to continue to regress, and it has been largely disappointing when it is compared to what was expected of the unit ahead of the season. The Steelers are on a two-game losing skid currently, and there is a real chance that streak extends to three games as the group will take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, who currently have the best record in the NFL and are considered the hottest team in the league.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin smiles on the field as the players get a workout in during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin has taken a lot of heat for the way that the defense has underperformed through the first seven games of the season, as has Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin. Austin's defenses have seemingly regressed in each year he has held the role. There are constant communication issues with the secondary, and that blame has to fall on coaches as the issue has appeared in several games and has not been fixed. Tomlin was asked to evaluate Austin during his press conference on Tuesday, and the head coach seemed to defend his coordinator.
"You know, I've known Teryl for a long time," Tomlin said. "He's very capable. He's very thorough, I've largely been pleased with his work. But certainly, he and I are not pleased with where we are right now from a defensive unit perspective, and so we're just going to keep working."
The Steelers' defense is one of the highest-paid units in the league, but the group is ranks near the bottom of the NFL when it comes to defensive standings. The group is currently ranked 30th in yards given up and 22nd in points given up, which is completely inexcusable for the amount of resources that are poured into that side of the ball. Tomlin being "pleased" with most of Austin's work is highly questionable, even if he felt like he just had to say that in front of the media.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 in Foxborough, MA.
The Steelers need to find a way to fix things defensively. The season isn't over, but if this losing streak continues to spiral out of control, the team is going to be in trouble. The AFC North will slowly slip away, and so will Pittsburgh's chances of making the playoffs. The group plays some high-powered offenses throughout the rest of the 2025 season, and there are plenty of chances for the defense to get embarrassed once again. Tomlin and Austin need to put their heads together to come to a solution, because right now the Steelers are a laughingstock.
Steelers' Defense Is Holding The Team Back
In recent years, the Steelers' defense was the reason the team won some games, but now it is the reason Pittsburgh is losing. The Steelers have been able to score the ball well while consistently moving the chains, but the defense has not been able to hold up its end of the bargain. Pittsburgh finally has a capable offense and the other half of the team sees serious regression. Until this franchise can find a way to play consistent, complementary football, this team has no chance of contending to win anything in today's NFL.
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Patrick Queen and Joey Porter on the field during the Steelers 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season.
A win against the Colts on Sunday would definitely help turn the ship around, but just as importantly, improvements on the defensive side of the ball must be made. Both coaching and execution will be vital if the Steelers plan to hang onto their AFC North lead and eventually win the division.
What do you think of Tomlin's comments on his defensive coordinator? Let us know in the comments below!
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