Steelers Wrap: Running nowhere with a swiss cheese defense

With a narrow victorious escape from New Jersey last weekend, the Steelers rolled into Acrisure Stadium with the hope of winning the first two games of the 2025 season. Last week Justin Fields and Breece Hall chewed up the highly touted Pittsburgh defense in the Jets loss to the Steelers.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin knew with the Seattle Seahawks in town for Pittsburgh’s home opener his defense had to improve. Aaron Rodgers and the offense looked rather good facing New York so there wasn’t as much concern for that side of the ball. But Sam Darnold and Kenneth Walker repeated the Jets’ performances and thrashed the Steelers 31-17. The 14 point margin, however, does not provide the full story in the final score of the game.

There were several key plays that decided this game. The most glaring was rookie running back Kaleb Johnson’s embarrassing gaffe when he attempted to field a kickoff that was bounding for the end zone only to have the ball glance off his body and instead of going after the ball, he allowed Seattle defenders to chase it down for a touchdown. Worse is that Johnson was unaware of the NFL kickoff return rules and thus that play turned the tide in favor of the Seahawks. Before the play, the Steelers were only down by one score, and the touchdown was simply icing on the cake.

Aaron Rodgers also threw two interceptions in the game but on one that was intended in the end zone for Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin ran a bad route, and the pass was deflected away from Freiermuth into the hands of Derion Kendrick. A Steelers touchdown there may have changed the outcome of this game. On camera Rodgers could be seen admonishing Austin, indicating he turned the wrong way.

As we all know, the Steelers will not go undefeated this season, and more losses will come. For those Steelers fans criticizing the team and perhaps panicking, it’s much to early for any of that. But the defense is a concern. The secondary is playing very poorly, the rush defense is once again porous, but to their credit, they did show signs of solid quarterback pressure on Darnold. 

The next two games will be crucial for Pittsburgh as they take on the New England Patriots on the road in week three and then travel to Ireland to play the Minnesota Vikings overseas. After those two games come the Browns and Bengals, and with Cleveland headed for another lost season and the Bengals losing Joe Burrow, it’s my belief that the Steelers need to win at least one of the next two if not both. They should defeat both Cleveland and Cincinnati given their circumstances, so it’s possible after the first six games the Steelers could be anywhere between 4-2 or 5-1 at best. 

As for the Seattle loss, with all the new veterans on board, players of the Steelers are scratching their heads as to why the defense is not playing better. While I thought Jalen Ramsey was an excellent pickup, despite his one exceptionally fine interception in the home opener, I’m disappointed in his overall play. It does not help that several injured players were out of action from the Pittsburgh secondary in facing Seattle. 

Both Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott were unable to suit up. During the game Alex Highsmith was pulled from the field of play after suffering a high ankle sprain. Isaiahh Loudermilk also failed to make it through the entire four quarters as he injured an ankle and has to resort to crutches. Darius Slay was brought in from Philadelphia with the hope that his track record and ability to cover would carry over into the Steelers secondary. It hasn’t. 

Facing the Pittsburgh secondary last Sunday all Sam Darnold did was throw for a nice 295 yards and two touchdowns and hit on some chain moving plays that were not defended well. The Steelers defense while adding some good pressure at times, only managed to come up with two sacks. 

Kenneth Walker carried the ball 13 times but his average for toting the rock was a much too high of 8.1 helped by one long run of 20 yards. Darnold’s primary target was Jaxon Smith-Njigba who hauled in eight passes for 103 yards. Cooper Kupp, who was always a dangerous weapon in Los Angeles, accounted for another 90 yards receiving. But for the Pittsburgh defense to get eaten up for 395 total yards, that’s just inexcusable, especially given the belief this would be a top tier unit.

Sure, injuries might have played a part, but the performance was not all negative. Newcomer in from the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets in 2024 Chuck Clark contributed with eight tackles six of them solo. Last year’s rookie sensation Payton Wilson led the team with 10 tackles and eight solos. Wilson also had a sack of Sam Darnold. Then there is Jack Sawyer following in the footsteps of Wilson’s rookie campaign as he looked very much like a prototype “Steelers linebacker” with six tackles, four solo, a sack, and two tackles for a loss.

Steelers Nation has to believe this team is better than what we’ve seen through two games. After the game Mike Tomlin said, “we have to get better.” Well coach … no kidding. T.J. Watt said there is too much talent for his side of the ball to perform as they have. So, when does it turn around? I believe him about what he says. This team is rich in talent so could it be the coaching is not good enough? 

In the offseason I said this season puts Mike Tomlin on the hot seat. He did all he could to bring Aaron Rodgers to town just to get a win in the playoffs. If that fails to happen, there will be those who call for the firing of Mike Tomlin. I think this team is headed in the right direction, but I’d like to call out several players I’m not happy with.

• Kenneth Gainwell-I believe this was a terrible free agent signing. Here and there a few good plays but overall, I would have preferred a different veteran running back. Until he does something special, I deem Gainwell as a “loss-well.”
• Jalen Ramsey-He made some good plays including the interception, but I don’t like his coverage skills nor his tackling abilities. He has to be the All-Pro player we once knew.
• DK Metcalf-This is the stud that was to replace George Pickens. In the season opener he made plays that showed why he was so coveted by the Steelers. Against Seattle six targeted passes and two huge dropsies. That can’t happen with an elite wide receiver. 
• The entire rush defense-Pathetic. Just unreal. I really hope getting Derrick Harmon back soon will be the cure all for stuffing the run.

The ex-Steelers player tracker



• Justin Fields-Jets: After an impressive opening game, Fields went backwards and could not finish the game ending up in concussion protocol. Prior to that facing the 1-0 Bills, Fields threw the ball just 11 times and completed only three. All for a measly 27 yards. Tyrod Taylor came in relief, threw just as many passes and completed all but four. Uh-oh. Fields was better on his feet with 49 yards rushing on just five carries with a long of 27.
• Najee Harris-Chargers: The Steelers are not missing much with Harris running out west. Facing the Raiders, Najee had only eight carries good for 28 yards and a 3.5 yards-per-carry average. His longest run was for just seven yards. He also caught two passes for 20 yards targeted only twice and one reception was for 11 yards making his other only for nine.
• Donte Jackson-Chargers: On the other side of the Los Angeles ball, Jackson was responsible for just one solo tackle and defended two passes. 
• James Daniels-Dolphins: Miami loses second straight. Tua Tagovailoa has a better passing game but Miami running game is inept. 
• Dan Moore Jr.-Titans: Tennessee goes down again losing first two of the season. Along with ex-players on the Jets, Dolphins, and Titans, those teams have not won yet in 2025. 
• Nate Herbig-Titans: Do the three aforementioned players wish they were back in the ‘Burgh?
• Elandon Roberts-Raiders: Roberts had zero stats on the final game record.
• Kyle Allen-Lions: Ho-hum…another day on the bench carrying the clipboard.
• Van Jefferson-Titans: Two receptions for 10 yards and those his only targeted passes.
• Minkah Fitzpatrick-Dolphins: Nothing to write home about with eight tackles and four solo and no other stats.
• George Pickens-Cowboys: Pickens gets his first Cowboy touchdown but remains CeeDee Lamb’s shadow with five receptions and 68 yards with a long of 27 yards. Jake Ferguson for the second week in a row was targeted more times than this ex-Steelers receiver.