Steelers Gameday Steelers News
Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Cole Holcomb at training camp on July 25, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin hinted earlier this week that there could be a major change on the defensive side of the ball, and that indeed is the case. Inside linebacker Cole Holcomb received first-team reps over Payton Wilson on the first series of Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.
Holcomb made an instant impact, forcing a fumble running back Rhamondre Stevenson on the opening drive. Steelers cornerback Darius Slay recovered the loose ball.
“There’s a chance,” Austin said on Thursday when asked if Holcomb would receive more snaps. “I thought Cole went in last week and he did a good job. The big thing is Cole’s been out almost two years. He’s been really working hard. He does; he gives you a different physical presence. I think that I like where he’s going. I think he’s trending in the right direction. Guys that deserve to be out there will be out there. I would expect to see maybe a little bit more of him as we move along in this campaign.”
Holcomb has come a long way since suffering a serious knee injury midway through the 2023 season. He has been sidelined since but impressed during the summer and preseason.
Pittsburgh’s No. 1 priority is stopping the run,but it hasn’t been able to do that, which is why the Steelers made the move to play Holcomb over Wilson. To say the least, Wilson was a liability in the run game in the first two weeks.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson during a game against the New York Jets on Sept. 7, 2025. — Ed THompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers once again got gashed on the ground in last Sunday’s 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle rushed for 117 yards on 29 carries (4.0 average). Kenneth Walker III led the Seahawks with 105 yards rushing on 13 carries for a whopping 8.1 average and a touchdown.
It was the second straight week that the Steelers have allowed over 100 yards rushing. The New York Jets racked up 182 yards (4.7 average) in Week 1.
Overall, the Steelers defense has left a lot to be desired in the first two weeks.
The Steelers have allowed 31+ points in the first two weeks of a season for the first time since 1989. Last year, the defense allowed 30 points twice all season.
Benching Wilson wasn’t the only personnel change, as rookie Yayha Black is starting at defensive end and Jabrill Peppers is starting at strong safety.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from Foxborough, Mass.
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