Is this the worst Steeler defense in your lifetime?

Worst total defense rank for Steelers in franchise history:

2025 30th
1988 28th
2021 24th
1991 22nd
1981 22nd

 

We still have some good QB's to play and they will feast on the secondary.

 

This probably needs merged over in the "Can We Stop Overpaying on Defense" thread.....
The answer is yes to both.

Too much money spent on a Pass Rusher and a Run Stuffer to not get production from them.
So the evaluation is:
- Why are they not producing?
* Coaching (play design, innovation, etc...)
* The player is too old

The level of production isn't there and the spend is prohibitive to distribute money to 11 players that can produce.
ie: Lack of cap management.

 

Cowher's worst draft picks would start on this defense.

 

Scott Shields, Zo Jackson.....

 

Trust me. 1988 was better than 2025.

 

Tomlin has 2 of the 5 listed..lol

 

Nope.


2015 thru 2018 say hello.

 

It's probably not, but it certainly feels like it. Not being able to cover, tackle, or pressure the QB is not a good recipe for success.

But you never know. Maybe the next few games we go back to getting 5 sacks / game like we did in games 2-5 or whatever it was.

There's still a lot of season left, so just checking the rankings doesn't really mean all that much (unless we went back and looked at every 7 game span to see if this is the worst one...which would be a waste of time / effort IMO).

Thing is, it might get worse (statistically) because we've got what is probably the harder part of the schedule still in front of us.

 

I've been a fan since around 1978 or so. I don't know if this is the worst, I remember as a kid, thinking I was clever, calling the Steelers "Steel Curtain" the "Swiss Cheese Curtain" at some point in the 80s for a couple of years. It sure seems like I remember it being pretty bad at some points then.

But this years defense, which people were saying "could be the best NFL defense in history" before the season started, is certain up there. Especially b/c on paper the expectations for this defense were very high, so that adds some extra sting. But all the talent in the world doesn't automatically overcome bad scheming and predictability.

 

Give me Mike Mitchell and Ryan Shazier anyday over this. Javon Hargrave, too.

 

Based on what's on the roster...... absolutely

 

What makes it so infuriating is that there is top end talent on the roster. They just play like a bunch of uncoordinated individuals who are all looking for the splash play.

 

This defense might have some big names but they're on the older side.

 

1969

 

OK, that would be realistic. Greene's rookie year, the defense was a mess. But those who believe the 80's defenses were worse than this '25 defense are delusional.

 

ILBs- Sean Spence and Devin Bush
Safeties- Mike Mitchell and Sean Davis
CBs- Arty Burns and end of career Joe Haden


No. This is not the worst defense. Season ranking is not an apples to apples comparison. I would not trade this defense for that one. Honestly.

 

Based on the talent we SHOULD have on this D, and the amount of money spent on it. It not only is the worst Steelers D in my lifetime, it may be the worst I've ever seen in the NFL in my lifetime. I've seen worse defenses, but never with the talent and money sunk into it like this one.

 

Got smoked in the playoffs by the Patriots 28-3 and Cowher's GM threw him under the bus

 

And Tuitt

 

I have followed the Steelers since 1973 and this is the worst defense by far. Last couple of years to be exact. Can't tackle, can't cover, can't communicate.

 

That's what I said before the season to you, but you refused to listen to me when I said my excitement for this year was at its lowest in several years.

 

Same GM who was 31-49 in Buffalo....This is crazy that Cowher make the playoffs 6 times in 8 years with 3 AFC title game and a super bowl with him as GM....This is how good Cowher was.....Cowher Power!

Tomlin would never been able to win a playoff game with Neil O'Donnell and beat Belichick,not one,not 2 but 3 times in the same years like Cowher power did in 1994!

 

I thought Watt and Heyward would be better.