The Pittsburgh Steelers have built an amazing winning culture based off of one thing: their defense. Anyone who knows anything about this legendary franchise knows that the organization has always prided themselves on building a winning tradition with their defensive efforts at the forefront. The organization has quite the resume to back that up. The Steelers currently have 10 former players that find themselves in Canton in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and have some players on their roster now, who will find themselves there once their career comes to a close.
Although the talent is there, the Steelers have found themselves in an unfamiliar predicament as of late. In 2022, the Steelers rush defense was ranked 32nd in the NFL, allowing a total of 146.1 yards per game on the ground as a defensive unit. This number (146.1) is 35 more rush yards than what they allowed the previous season, as they averaged a total of just 111.4 allowed per game back in 2021. 2022 was the first time the Steelers ranked last (32nd) in the league in rush defense since the NFL expanded to 32 teams back in 2002.
Like I said, there are a few big names on this roster that should have a significant impact on the opposing teams' rushing attack. Although both do not need any type of introduction, the Steelers themselves have the likes of Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt manning the defensive line, which has given them quite the advantage in most matchups. Although injuries to many players on the defensive line could have a lot to do with why the Steelers rush defense was ranked dead last in 2022, that fact will never be used as an excuse for anyone within the organization and inside linebackers coach, Jerry Olsavsky, reassured that to all of Steeler Nation.
"We're all upset," said Olsavsky. "The standard is not last year. The standard is years previous, a Top 10 run defense, that's the standard."
It is clear that stopping the run is going to be at the forefront of the Steelers defensive game planning this year. Although the organization did just sign All-Pro safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick to a multi-year contract this past month, the front office was also active in free agency, signing the likes of Myles Jack and Larry Ogunjobi while also retaining last year's standout defensive tackle, Montravious Adams. All in hopes of getting back into the defensive first mindset that this organization has always stood so proudly behind.
Steelers defensive lineman, Montravius Adams (57) tackles Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (15). | AL.com
With a new quarterback at the helm in 2022, who knows how this Pittsburgh offense is going to produce, and the success of this team could land in the laps of the Steelers defense. Which, in all defense, is exactly what the coaching staff would prefer.
While there really is no excuse for the Steelers rush defense to have been as bad as it has been, we all understand the injuries that relate to this topic. We can’t forget that the Steelers have been without one of their best defensive players while in the black and gold, Stephon Tuitt, for the past couple of seasons and how they lost Tyson Alualu to a season-ending injury shortly into last season as well.
There is no doubt in my mind that this 2022 defense can be a special one. There really is nowhere to go but up as far as the Steelers are concerned. The front office did a good job this off-season signing players that would allow this defense to get better in all three phases, and we will get to see if this defense will be able to put their money where their mouth is in the upcoming campaign.
Do you think the Steelers rush defense can get back to the "Standard" this upcoming season? Comment below!
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