The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense entered the 2025 season with very high expectations. Many pundits labeled the group as one of the best defenses on paper during the preseason, but that hype quickly faded through the first eight weeks. Statistically, the Steelers had been among the worst and leakiest defenses in the NFL, struggling to contain opposing offenses and giving up big plays week after week.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA.
However, on Sunday, the Steelers shocked many by forcing six turnovers against the red-hot Indianapolis Colts offense, helping Pittsburgh engineer a 27-20 victory. After allowing 454 total yards in Week 8 at home against the Green Bay Packers, the defense made a statement with their dominant performance. The sudden turnaround left fans and analysts buzzing about the unit’s potential to recapture the form expected at the start of the season.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers couldn’t have been happier with the performance. Speaking with members of the Pittsburgh media after the win, Rodgers praised the defense for staying focused on their responsibilities despite all the outside noise and what he called “made-up drama” by the media. He credited their resilience and preparation for the win, emphasizing that the defense’s mindset and execution were key in securing the victory.
"You gotta deal with adversity but this was a really important win for us though," Rodgers told the Pittsburgh media after the 27-20 win over the Colts on Sunday.
Rodgers also made it clear that running back Jaylen Warren rallied the team during the week and delivered a convincing speech, one that clearly reignited the fire in the defense. Rodgers credited Warren for his leadership but didn’t want to give away too many details, noting that it was personal and not necessary for the public to know.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers speaking with members of the Pittsburgh media following a win over the Colts in the 2025 NFL season.
What mattered, Rodgers said, was that Warren’s speech helped energize both the defense and the team as a whole. He admitted that this game was massive for them leading up to it, and the team was thrilled to secure the win.
"We didn't wanna lose three in a row and to not go to 1-3 [at] home and to kinda get that big elephant that was trying to jump on the backs of the defense. Which is made up of media and outside conversation about them. We are all human and I think those guys felt really upset with the outside noise that has been going on so I am really proud of them and the way they came back and responded."
Rodgers has been around the block at the age of 41. He has still proven to be effective in the pocket, and many pundits believe he can guide this team through the playoffs.
Steelers Could Be Called True Super Bowl Contenders
If the defense can continue generating turnovers the way they did on Sunday and earlier in the season against the New England Patriots, the Steelers could certainly be considered contenders. However, if it takes a barrage of turnovers every game for Pittsburgh to win, that approach won’t be sustainable.
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Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin stands next to captains Aaron Rodgers and Cam Heyward before the 2025 season opener.
Rodgers knows this and admitted that the offense needs to execute better. So far in the 2025 season, the offense and defense haven’t been fully in sync, but if they can find that rhythm, this team has the potential to be dangerous.
Until then, Steeler Nation will hope to see better execution out of the offense and continued improvement out of the defense. TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and that unit bounced back on Sunday and will look to carry that into Week 10 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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