Steelers' Jamel Dean Makes Revealing Admission About What Held Pittsburgh's Defense Back

The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally getting the production they expected from one of the NFL's most expensive defenses. What's interesting about their recent improvement is that most of the talent was already there when the team was struggling. The Steelers didn't suddenly discover a collection of better football players halfway through the season. According to one veteran, part of the problem was that those players weren't necessarily playing for one another.

Jamel Dean offered some revealing insight into Pittsburgh's defensive turnaround Thursday ahead of Sunday night's matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. The veteran cornerback acknowledged that the group's early-season mistakes may have stemmed from players attempting to take matters into their own hands without trusting their teammates to handle their responsibilities.

During a press conference following Thursday's practice, Dean discussed the difference between the defense that struggled earlier this season and the one currently helping Pittsburgh compete for an AFC North title.

“Some of the games that we lost, we kind of, like, mistakes that we made probably because we probably wasn't trusting each other at the time, trying to do our own thing. But now that we was able to see, once we started trusting each other, we all started playing fast, and more opportunities started happening for us,” Dean said.

That's a pretty significant admission from someone who was part of those struggles. Pittsburgh allowed 87 points through its first four games, finishing that stretch with a disappointing 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 1. Over its next four games, all victories, Pittsburgh surrendered just 57 points.

The desire to make an individual play can become particularly problematic in the secondary. A cornerback who abandons his responsibility because he thinks he recognizes an opportunity might leave a safety responsible for covering two receivers. Even if that cornerback correctly identifies where the quarterback wants to throw, the consequences of guessing wrong can be disastrous.

Dean explained that developing a better understanding of his teammates has become a regular part of Pittsburgh's preparation.

“Just always the preparation, like getting a feel for one another. We slow it down and then we get full-speed reps at it, and then we talk amongst each other, like after the play, during the play, even on the sideline, be like, ‘Hey, I think we should do it this way or that way.’ Whatever makes us comfortable, helps us play fast,” Dean said.

Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham deserves considerable credit for creating an environment where those conversations can happen. Graham moved from the coaching booth to the sideline following Pittsburgh's loss in Cleveland, giving his players more direct access to him during games.

The defensive coordinator has also acknowledged that he needed to place greater trust in his players. His reflection following the Cleveland loss became an important turning point for the entire unit.

Dean believes Graham's willingness to listen has allowed the defense to make adjustments that better suit the players responsible for executing them.

“For the most part, the players give our feedback, and then the coaches just had to do a good job of collecting feedback from us and then make the adjustment based off that,” Dean said.

The results were particularly evident during Pittsburgh's 27-6 victory over Cleveland before the bye. The Steelers recorded eight sacks, forced two turnovers and surrendered just 34 rushing yards. They also haven't allowed a second-half touchdown since their Week 3 victory over Cincinnati.

Patrick Queen has benefited considerably from the improved communication. The linebacker recorded 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble against Cleveland. Graham has spoken extensively about strengthening his relationship with Queen, who wears the green dot and communicates the defensive calls to his teammates.

Dean has enjoyed a productive first season in Pittsburgh himself, recording 30 tackles, eight passes defended, three forced fumbles and an interception through seven appearances. His familiarity with the defense should only continue to grow as the season progresses.

Steelers' Improved Communication Faces Its Biggest Challenge Against Cincinnati

Sunday will offer an excellent opportunity to determine how much Pittsburgh's defense has actually grown. Joe Burrow and the Bengals have scored at least 31 points in four consecutive games, with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins presenting considerable problems for opposing secondaries.

Graham should resist the temptation to get overly creative against Cincinnati. Pittsburgh's defenders are finally comfortable with their responsibilities, and introducing too many unfamiliar assignments against an elite quarterback could invite the same communication problems that plagued them earlier this season.

There's something encouraging about Dean acknowledging that the players themselves contributed to the defense's struggles. It would have been easy to blame a new coaching staff or the difficulties of learning a different system. Instead, Pittsburgh's veterans appear to have recognized their own shortcomings and worked with Graham to address them.

The Steelers have spent plenty of money assembling this defense. They're finally discovering how much more valuable that investment becomes when everybody trusts the guy standing next to him.

#SteelerNation