"It's All Scheme": Steelers Blasted For Complete Failure As A Coaching Staff

The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off of a difficult loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 12. The team looked bad in all three phases of the game at certain points, and it was a rough loss in a big game as Pittsburgh fell out of the playoff picture in the AFC. They also essentially gave the division lead over to the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh had lapses in execution during the game, and the group also seemed to be out-schemed on defense throughout the contest. Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson was often able to scheme his guys open at will, which is what lost Pittsburgh the game.

Pittsburgh's defense struggled to get the Chicago offense off of the field aside from a pair of forced fumbles, including one that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams looked more comfortable than ever as he completed 19 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. 

Former Pittsburgh offensive lineman Trai Essex recently appeared on 93.7 The Fan, and he shared some criticism of the defense while also making sure it is known that it is not entirely on the players.

"It's a scheme thing, dude," Essex said. "It's all scheme. The talent is there and for us to have, and I used this analogy I guess last week, but it applies every week, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde. I don't understand. I do understand it is definitely scheme because the talent is there, and when you have the players come after the game and just say they don't know. When Payton Wilson comes out and says it's like we're the best defense on one play and then we're not on other plays? It points strictly to the coaching and the positions that they're being put in on a play-to-play, game-to-game basis because it's not consistent. And these guys seem to be confused."

Essex swears that the issues defensively come with the defensive scheme, which is something that the fan base has been on Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin about for years. The scheme is seemingly outdated and easy to pick apart, and that was shown during the loss to Chicago.

Inside linebacker Patrick Queen even called out the scheme while he was speaking to the media in the locker room after the loss, so it is clear that players on the team feel the same way that Essex and a lot of the fan base does. Tomlin has had an inability to change and adapt over the last decade or so, and it will be interesting to see if he remains stubborn, or if he makes some changes that will allow his team to find some success.

The best plays that came from the defense against the Bears were when TJ Watt was able to sack Williams in the end zone and force the ball out, and the other came when Yahya Black was able to rip the ball from the hands of the Bears running back on an inside run. It was talented players making big plays, while for the majority of the game, players were out of position and not in a spot where they could succeed.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Arguably Needs To Keep His Hands Out Of The Defense In Pittsburgh

Tomlin is a big part of the defense in Pittsburgh as he works with Austin to come together with the game plan each week, and the head coach will also give his two cents when it comes to calling some plays on game days. Many are calling for him to take a step back and just allow Austin and the rest of the defensive coaching staff to do their thing. Pittsburgh has been a defensive failure over the last season and a half, and changes are needed, but that doesn't happen often with an organization like the Steelers.

What do you think about the comments from Essex? Let us know in the comments below!

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