The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2024 season was marked by several disappointments, but perhaps none was more surprising than the team’s defensive performance. Despite having a number of talented players on that side of the ball, the Steelers’ defense struggled to consistently stop opponents, leading to a number of frustrating losses.
According to Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, the team’s defensive performance was not what he or anyone else in the organization had expected.
“That’s not Steelers football,” Austin said in a recent interview. “We pride ourselves on being a tough, physical defense that can stop the run and rush the quarterback. We didn’t do that consistently enough last season, and it was a disappointment.”
The Steelers’ defense was expected to be one of the team’s strengths in 2024, with players like T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick leading the way. However, despite their individual talents, the team’s defense struggled to gel and consistently make plays.
One of the biggest issues for the Steelers’ defense was their inability to stop the run. The team allowed an average of 128.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranked 28th in the NFL. This was a major departure from the team’s usual stingy run defense, which had been a hallmark of the Steelers’ defense for years.
“We didn’t do a good enough job of stopping the run,” Austin said. “That’s something that we pride ourselves on, and we didn’t do it well enough last season. We’re going to work hard to fix that this offseason.”
In addition to their struggles against the run, the Steelers’ defense also had issues with consistency. The team would often play well for stretches, only to give up big plays or allow opponents to drive down the field.
“We were inconsistent,” Austin said. “We’d play well for a quarter or a half, and then we’d give up a big play or allow a team to drive down the field. We need to be more consistent and play better for 60 minutes.”
The Steelers are expected to make some changes to their defense this offseason, with Austin and the rest of the coaching staff working to identify and address the team’s weaknesses. With a number of talented players on the roster, the Steelers are confident that they can turn things around and become a dominant defense once again.
Steelers’ Defensive Stats
The Steelers’ defense ranked 24th in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (371.5) and 28th in rushing yards allowed per game (128.5). The team also struggled to create turnovers, ranking 25th in the league with just 17 takeaways.
What’s Next for the Steelers’ Defense?
The Steelers are expected to make some changes to their defense this offseason, with Austin and the rest of the coaching staff working to identify and address the team’s weaknesses. The team may also look to add some new players to the roster, either through free agency or the draft.
With a number of talented players on the roster, the Steelers are confident that they can turn things around and become a dominant defense once again.
