As indicated in the Steelers preview for the Green Bay Packers game, we would find out how good the Black and Gold actually is. Lesson learned…. the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers are not very good. This conclusion comes after their second straight defeat losing to the Packers 35-25.
That final score is in no way a reflection of how the game was played. The Steelers went into halftime leading the game and getting the ball first in the third quarter. Then the defense disappeared. Green Bay completely dominated Pittsburgh in the final two quarters and for the second straight game the defense left the field after the final gun knowing they had been pushed around and passed on like they were swiss cheese.
After the Bengals game Tyrel Austin, Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator knew the defense had to be better for the Green Bay game. They were not. Not even close. Having surrendered 30 plus points in two straight games defined the Steelers defense for this season. They aren’t very good.
Last season the Steelers were riding high until they finished the season running through the “gauntlet.” With consecutive games against Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Kanas City, the Steelers lost all three then proceeded to lose a fourth to the Bengals in a game that had no impact on their playoff status.
Now in the 2025 season, ahead are the Indianapolis Colts in another home game then Pittsburgh travels west to play the Los Angeles Chargers in yet another Sunday night football game. Both of the next two opponents having a combined record of 12-4 with the Colts owning seven of those victories with just one defeat.
There is a very strong chance that the Steelers lose the next two which if that happens their record would sink to 4-5 and they will have struggled through fourth straight defeat. Following the Packers game Mike Tomlin mirrored what several of the defensive players said, that being “we need to get better.” No shit. Dumb thing to say.
Some of the numbers the Green Bay Packers put up are alarming. Tight End Tucker Kraft abused the Steelers defense to the tune of 143 yards receiving and something like 118 yards after the catch. That means terrible tackling on Pittsburgh’s part. Kraft averaged 20.4 yards per reception. Christian Watson caught four passes for 85 yards and 21.3 yards per catch. Romeo Doubs? Three catches and a 14.7 per catch number.
The Pack added 94 yards rushing led by Emmanuel Wilson who had 61 of those and a per carry average of 5.5. yards. Maybe the worst stat that killed the Steelers defense was Jordan Love completing 20 straight passes. I mean how does that even happen? What that actually defined is the Steelers defense is soft and weak. Straight up. Love finished with 360 yards passing, three touchdowns, was not sacked a single time, threw no interceptions, and had a quarterback rating of 134.2. For Steelers fans that is sickening.
When the game concluded I had a feeling of frustration and anger like I’ve never had as a 53 year Steelers fan. What angers me more is that before the season began, Art Rooney II, Omar Kahn, and Mike Tomlin preached that the team needed better quarterback play and were hell bent on signing Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers came onboard and that trio was convinced the team would finally get a playoff win, something that has not happened since 2016. In the meantime, Tomlin knew his rush defense needed help. So, in the draft, Derrick Harmon was selected in the first round. But to bolster the secondary, Kahn and Tomlin turned to the free agency pool and brought in Jalen Ramsey, Juan Thornhill, Darius Slay, and Brandin Echols.
Former head coach Rex Ryan went national to say that the reason the Steelers defense is failing is because in a word…they are old. He’s right. Those four free agents who have had a lot of playing time through the first seven games are past their prime or just not very good. Jalen Ramsey has seen better days, and Darius Slay should be retired. With the trade deadline ahead, the buzz is Pittsburgh will seek a wide receiver. WHY? The defense is in dire need of help. The Steelers should attempt to find the best available secondary player.
In looking back at the Packers loss, Green Bay had 454 totals yards to Pittsburgh’s 295. While Aaron Rodgers did not play that badly, the Steelers offense could not convert on nine of 10 third down conversions. The offense is not the problem. Because of the pathetic play by the defense, the Steelers have put the weight on Rodgers to carry the team. Thus far he’s done an excellent job and Pittsburgh’s record would not be what it is if the defense played to their responsibilities. Both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell had good rushing numbers.
Let’s get one thing straight. Players must execute on the field. Coaches determine who those players are. The Steelers have not done a good job of choosing those players. Therefore, Tomlin and Kahn are to blame but given the talent he has been provided, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has failed at making adjustments and making defensive game plans. His seat should be blazing hot, and many other teams would have fired him by now.
Through seven games, the Steelers defense has allowed teams to score 30 or more points four times. The Jets scored 32, Seattle 31, Cincinnati 33, and now Green Bay 35. I say right here and now if the Indianapolis Colts score 30 or more on the Steelers in week nine, Austin should be fired … immediately.
The Steelers still have the Bills, Ravens twice (and Lamar Jackson could return for those games), and Detroit on the schedule as well as playing the Bengals again. If losses to the Colts and Chargers are the result as I believe they are, the Steelers could easily lose to the Ravens at least once if not twice, the Bills, and then Detroit. That would give them eight losses and possibly nine. That would mean by winning the other games (Bears, Bengals, Dolphins, and Browns) Pittsburgh could finish at best 9-8 or at worst 8-9 and that means having to defeat Chicago, Cincinnati, Miami, and Cleveland and splitting with Baltimore to go 9-8 but a sweep by the Ravens means 8-9.
Of course, none of the remaining games are guarantees so the Steelers could theoretically finish much worse. While the initial goal was to win a playoff game, the scenario is out that where the Steelers could miss the playoffs all together and if that happens…Mike Tomlin will have to go whether under his own decision or Art Rooney II will have to pull the trigger and actually fire him. Missing the playoffs means cleaning house. No ifs ands or buts.
To turn the season around the only way that happens is with an impressive victory over Indianapolis in week nine. Keep in mind Jonathan Taylor is coming to town. Right now, he is one of the best if not the best player in the entire league. Taylor already has 850 yards on the season. Steelers Nation will not be happy with a non-playoff season.
