PITTSBURGH – Following a disappointing performance where the Pittsburgh Steelers allowed over 30 points for the fourth time this season, head coach Mike Tomlin publicly backed defensive coordinator Teryl Austin during a press conference on Tuesday. The Steelers fell to the Green Bay Packers 35-25 on Sunday night, prompting scrutiny of the team’s defensive unit.
Tomlin expressed confidence in Austin’s abilities, stating, “I’ve known Teryl a long time. He’s very capable. He’s very thorough.” Despite this, he acknowledged the team’s current struggles, affirming, “We just got to keep doing what we’re doing and do it better.” He also clarified that he has no plans to take over playcalling responsibilities, emphasizing that the team will maintain their current approach.
The Steelers’ defense, touted as the highest-paid unit in the league, has faced significant challenges this season. In the recent game against the Packers, they allowed a staggering 360 passing yards, with quarterback Jordan Love completing a streak of 20 consecutive passes. This performance reflects a broader trend: four consecutive quarterbacks have achieved season-high yardage totals against Pittsburgh’s defense.
As the Steelers prepare for an upcoming match against the Indianapolis Colts, who currently boast an impressive record of 7-1 and lead the NFL with an average of 33.8 points per game, Tomlin’s comments highlight the urgency of improvement. The Steelers currently rank last in the league for passing yards allowed per game (273.3) and total yards allowed (386).
“We make no excuses about how or why we fall short,” Tomlin stated. “Our job is to perform at a high level, and we haven’t done that.” He emphasized that while the season is still young, the team must seize opportunities to improve their performance.
In addition to the defensive challenges, the Steelers will also be without starting strong safety DeShon Elliott, who suffered a hyperextended knee during the game against Green Bay. Tomlin indicated that the team is evaluating potential replacements, including veterans Vonn Bell and Eddie Jackson, while also considering the trade market for additional options.
Despite a strong defensive showing in the first half of Sunday’s game, where they held the Packers to a 16-7 lead at halftime, the Steelers faltered in the second half. The Packers successfully converted five of eight third-down opportunities, a trend that has plagued Pittsburgh throughout the season.
“I didn’t think we did a good enough job recovering from that,” Tomlin reflected on the team’s performance. Several players echoed concerns about the team’s effort, with safety Juan Thornhill admitting, “If I’m being completely honest, I don’t feel like the effort was there.” The defensive unit has since committed to addressing these issues openly.
Tomlin, however, countered the narrative of a lack of effort, asserting, “I’m talking about fight in terms of playmaking. You don’t get credit for trying hard.” He reinforced the importance of production, stating, “We certainly didn’t produce enough plays over the last 30 minutes of the game.”
The Steelers aim to rectify their defensive woes this week as they prepare for their next game at Acrisure Stadium on November 5. Tomlin concluded with a reminder of the importance of on-field performance: “The true fixes come in stadiums… the rest of it is just talk.” With the trade deadline approaching, the Steelers remain focused on improving both their roster and their performance in the weeks to come.
