The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense was seriously thought to be one of the most dominant units on paper heading into the 2025 season. Through the first eight weeks, however, the Steelers have not lived up to that billing. In fact, they have been not just underwhelming but one of the worst and leakiest defenses in the entire NFL so far. On Sunday, in a 35-25 loss at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh gave up 454 yards of total offense to the Green Bay Packers, continuing a troubling trend that has frustrated fans and analysts alike.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers looks to throw during a practice ahead of a game against the Green Bay Packers in 2025.
Now the super-hot 7-1 Indianapolis Colts are coming to Pittsburgh this Sunday. If the Steelers want to end their two-game skid and quiet the growing noise around the team, a win over arguably the best team in the NFL right now would do just that. It will not be easy. The Colts’ offense is elite and has multiple ways to exploit defensive weaknesses, putting even more pressure on a unit that has struggled to find consistency.
The Steelers' defense is facing a harsh reality as it prepares for Sunday’s showdown. With opponents finding holes across the field and big plays piling up against them, Pittsburgh’s defensive stars, including TJ Watt, will have to elevate their game if the team hopes to stop the Colts’ high-powered attack. After a rough start to the season, the pressure is mounting, and this game could define the trajectory of the defense moving forward. NFL pundit Mike Florio believes that the Week 9 contest is now on the shoulders of Watt.
"Show me something, TJ Watt and the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense," Florio said while talking Friday on his Pro Football Talk podcast. "It has been pathetic the past couple of weeks. The Steelers are the third worst defense statistically in the NFL. TJ got that big contract, he leapfrogged Myles Garrett. It's time to deliver because their backs are against the wall. The Colts are coming to town. The Colts are 7-1."
In the 2025 offseason, the Steelers finalized a deal to extend Watt. After that contract, he became one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin observes practice during 2025 training camp while star pass rusher TJ Watt runs drills.
Florio believes it is time for Watt to show why he commands such a high salary. In previous seasons, Watt often carried the team despite several other issues, but now it is the defense, led by Watt, that has been holding the team back.
"It's time for TJ Watt, one of the highest-paid defensive players, one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in football, to elevate the defense and get a win in order to keep some distance between themselves and the Baltimore Ravens," Florio said.
Many Steelers fans share this perspective. Watt has set the bar so incredibly high that even above-average play from him often goes unappreciated.
Steelers' TJ Watt Taking Heat For Defensive Failure
Fans expect him to generate multiple sacks and turnovers every game, no matter how realistic or unrealistic that expectation may be. While many of the defense’s issues are clearly not Watt’s fault, Florio is arguing that this is beside the point.
He makes $41 million per year, which is quarterback-level money for a defensive player, and that is why Watt will continue to be held to that type of standard. Fair or not, when the team wins, the quarterback takes the credit, and when they lose, the quarterback takes the blame. In this case, Watt is the quarterback of that defense.
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Outside linebackers Nick Herbig (left) and TJ Watt (right) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
That seems to be what is happening here with Florio. Through seven games in the 2025 season, Watt has four sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception. It has not been a bad year for him, but he is going to be asked to be the fix.
How much blame do you place on the shoulders of TJ Watt for how poorly this Steelers' defense has played so far in the 2025 NFL season? 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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