Will the Steelers need the offense to carry the defense now?
All of a sudden, the Steelers are looking up on offense, and their defense is making the wrong kind of history. Is this a sign of things to come? Each week, the offense looks more polished, the run game more potent, Aaron Rodgers more mobile. On the flip side, when the defense isn’t making splash plays, it seems to be a liability.
The Steelers rank 20th in passing touchdowns allowed, for example, and second in passing touchdowns. (In case you’re wondering, the stats go per-game, not volume). Aaron Rodgers already has four multiple-touchdown games this season, including twice throwing four touchdown passes.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have allowed 30-plus points three times this year. And they even managed to win one, losing another by two points. That was last Thursday, when Rodgers led the Steelers’ offense to a fourth-quarter comeback only for the defense to squander it.
The Steelers went into this season with high expectations for their defense—historic expectations. On offense, they just wanted to do enough not to blow it for the defense. Of course, they hoped that Rodgers could elevate the offense in key situations, and he has. Now the run game is coming along, and perhaps the line is maturing into its own.
Of course, it doesn’t help that we’re all still marinating in the aftermath of a frustrating game. It’s entirely possible that the Steelers play lights out on defense against the Packers with a balanced offense. They have the talent, as we know, and the scheme, when they run it properly. I maintain that the pieces are there, and it looks good when it comes together.
But one of the most important elements of greatness is consistency. The Steelers haven’t shown consistency, either on offense or defense, for a long, long time. It’s part of the reason they so frequently play in close games, after all. And one of the reasons Steelers fans have high blood pressure, other than the pierogies.
After another disappointing season and months of retooling, the Steelers are set to try it all again in 2025. Though they limped into the playoffs, they once again embarrassed themselves therein.
Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback question. They settled in on Aaron Rodgers, but we still have a lot to learn about him. The 2025 NFL Draft class could play a big role, but veteran additions like Jalen Ramsey will be paramount.
Now we are in the regular season. From Rodgers to George Pickens to Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ramsey, we’ve seen the Steelers make some big changes. Now it’s about evaluating the roster in place and figuring out how it all works out.
