Steelers' Mike Tomlin Gets Honest About Pittsburgh's Run Defense In 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now coming off their bye week with their full attention on the red hot Washington Commanders. While Pittsburgh's main priority was to get healthy this past week, they truly needed this break to work out a few of their blemishes on both sides of the ball. They are still sitting at the top of the AFC North, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin knows that there is more work to be done heading into their gauntlet of a schedule after the bye. 

In Tomlin's latest press conference, he touched on what he learned from their Week 8 victory over the New York Giants. While he gives credit to the Giants' coaches and players executing their run game, he wasn't shy to say that the coaching staff needs to be better to set their guys up for success, especially after Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s long touchdown run in the third quarter.

"As I watched football from a far last weekend sitting on a bye, it didn't miss me that the Giants had an effective run game in the subsequent game and so, I tip my cap to them, but certainly we can get better in some areas in terms of fundamental things," said Tomlin. "Whipping blocks, making tackles, us as coaches putting them in a very best position to do those things. I think particularly on their big breakout run, that's a call that we as a coaching staff wish we could have back for example."

The Steelers' defense allowed the Giants rookie running back, Tracy Jr. to have a career day. He rushed for 145 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry and adding a touchdown. Tomlin knows that type of production cannot happen, especially when the Steelers brought in DeShon Elliott, Patrick Queen, and drafted Payton Wilson.

Pittsburgh will be facing many talented running talents before finishing the season. They still have to face the Baltimore Ravens two times, who added Derrick Henry this past offseason and is on pace for another 2,000-yard season (he last achieved that with Arthur Smith as his offensive coordinator). Not only Henry, they also have to respect the legs of Lamar Jackson in those matchups. 

In the Steelers' non-divisional games, they have to slow down Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles and respect the legs of their upcoming opponent, Jayden Daniels. Tomlin knows if they continue to give up big plays on the ground, especially against the Ravens, they will be fighting for a Wild Card spot at the end of the year.

Pittsburgh currently holds a half game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North standings and third in the AFC. With the possibility of getting Nick Herbig and Cory Trice back from injury this week and not to mention Cam Sutton returning from his suspension, the defense is adding much needed help going into their tough stretch.

Tomlin even hinted that the Steelers are looking at different areas besides wide receiver before the trade deadline, so adding another key player in the run stop could be ideal with their recent struggles defending the run. With many teams going into seller mode, there could be great pieces that the Steelers can pick up for cheap.

Steelers Will Need To Be More Consistent Stopping The Run 

The Steelers have had a solid start to the season, but it has been far from perfect. Tomlin emphasizing their struggles in the past against the run shows that he is aware of the troubles ahead facing talented running threats. The Steelers are not only trying to make it back to the playoffs, but getting true home field advantage could help break the seven-year playoff win drought. The Steelers have relied on their defense for the last few years to get them wins, but now with a more efficient offense, they need the defense to step up when the ball is on the ground. 

Are you confident that the Steelers will figure out a way to consistently stuff the run? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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