Tomlin Supports Austin as Steelers Face Defensive Challenges

PITTSBURGH — Following a disappointing performance that saw the Pittsburgh Steelers concede over 30 points for the fourth time in seven games, head coach Mike Tomlin has publicly backed defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. During a press conference on Tuesday, Tomlin expressed confidence in Austin’s capabilities, stating, “I’ve known Teryl a long time. He’s very capable. He’s very thorough.” Despite acknowledging the team’s struggles, Tomlin emphasized that both he and Austin remain committed to improving the defensive unit’s performance.

The Steelers are coming off a 35-25 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, where they allowed quarterback Jordan Love to throw for a season-high 360 yards and three touchdowns. In the wake of this loss, Tomlin clarified that he does not intend to assume full responsibility for defensive playcalling, asserting, “That’s not on the table as we sit here today. We just got to keep doing what we’re doing and do it better.”

Defensive Struggles and Upcoming Challenges

Despite Tomlin’s pre-season optimism about the potential for a “historic” defense, the Steelers have consistently underperformed throughout the season. They currently rank last in the league in passing yards allowed per game at 273.3 and are among the lowest in total yards allowed (386) and points allowed (25.0) per game. As they prepare for a critical Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, who lead the NFL with an average of 33.8 points per game, the Steelers’ defense faces a formidable challenge.

Tomlin noted the importance of learning from their mistakes over the past seven games, stating, “We make no excuses about how or why we fall short. Our job is to perform at a high level, and we haven’t done that.” He remains optimistic about the team’s future, insisting that the season is far from over and that there are still opportunities to “write our story.”

Adding to their defensive woes, the Steelers will be without starting strong safety DeShon Elliott, who hyperextended his knee during the second half against the Packers and is now considered “week-to-week.” In response, the team is evaluating several veteran safeties, including Vonn Bell and Eddie Jackson, to fill the gap left by Elliott. Earlier in the season, they also signed safety Jabrill Peppers to bolster their defensive lineup.

Reflection on Team Dynamics

Tomlin acknowledged that the Steelers displayed strong defensive efforts in the first half against Green Bay, successfully preventing the Packers from converting on their initial four third-down attempts. This performance saw the Steelers leading 16-7 at halftime. However, the second half revealed a stark decline, with the Packers converting five of eight third downs, including significant completions that shifted the momentum of the game.

Reflecting on the team’s collective performance, Tomlin stated, “I didn’t think we did a good enough job recovering from that and finding our footing as a collective football group.” Several players, including safety Juan Thornhill, echoed concerns about the team’s effort levels, indicating a need for candid discussions about maintaining high standards of play.

Despite concerns about effort, Tomlin did not observe a “lack of fight” on the game film, emphasizing that the focus should remain on production rather than mere effort. He stated, “We’re not in the ‘try hard’ business. Our fight is about production and producing, and we certainly didn’t produce enough plays over the last 30 minutes of the game.”

As the Steelers look ahead to their upcoming match, Tomlin underscored that true resolutions to their defensive issues can only come through on-field performance. “The fix happens in stadiums and the rest of it is just talk,” he concluded, as the team prepares to face the Colts in hopes of turning their season around.