Pittsburgh Steelers Defense Challenged To Step Up Given Heavy Price Tag On The Unit
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long built their identity on a foundation of tough, physical defense. It’s a standard embedded in the franchise’s DNA. However, midway through the 2025 season, that identity is being challenged by a unit that is failing to live up to its legacy and, more importantly, its price tag. Following a 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers where the defense collapsed in the second half, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was blunt: changes are needed, and everything is on the table.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense: An Expensive Unit with Poor Returns
No team in the NFL has dedicated more salary cap space to its defense this season than the Pittsburgh Steelers. With major investments in star players, the expectation was for a dominant unit that could control games. The reality has been far from it. The defense is arguably the most disappointing in the league, a fact supported by alarming statistics.
After their latest loss, the Steelers rank 22nd in points allowed per game and a dismal 26th in total defense. The most glaring weakness is the pass defense, which sits dead last in the NFL, allowing an average of 273.3 yards through the air per contest. The game against the Packers was a microcosm of their struggles. After a respectable start, the defense fell apart after halftime, giving up 214 passing yards and 28 points in the final two quarters.
Tomlin Puts Everyone on Notice
Never one to shy away from accountability, Mike Tomlin made his frustration clear in his post-game press conference. He didn’t single out just the players or the coaches; he put the entire defensive operation on notice.
“We just got to be better in all areas, and it starts first with the positions that we put players in,” Tomlin told reporters. “So it’s coaches. It’s players. It’s all of us. We own it. We’ll be better. We have to be.”
His remarks carried a clear warning that the status quo is no longer acceptable. When asked what he would consider changing to fix the secondary and the defense as a whole, Tomlin’s response was unequivocal.
“I’m open to doing whatever it is that we need to do schematically or from a personnel standpoint to improve this,” he stated.
What Changes Could Be Coming?
Tomlin’s comments open the door to significant adjustments. The “personnel” aspect is particularly noteworthy. The high-profile acquisitions of veteran cornerbacks Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey were meant to solidify the secondary, but the unit has looked old and slow at times. While benching former All-Pros would be a drastic step, Tomlin’s willingness to evaluate every option suggests no one’s job is safe.
The issues go beyond the secondary. A lack of a consistent pass rush has left cornerbacks exposed, and the run defense, while ranked higher, has also been inconsistent. The collapse against Green Bay, where Packers tight end Tucker Kraft had a career day, highlighted breakdowns in coverage and tackling across multiple defensive levels.
For a team with a proud defensive tradition and a massive financial investment in that side of the ball, underperformance is not an option. Mike Tomlin has drawn a line in the sand. The message is clear: the excuses are over, and the time for improvement is now. Whether through schematic changes or lineup shuffles, the pressure is on for the Steelers’ defense to start playing like the elite unit it’s paid to be.
