Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills in Week 13 of 2025.
Multiple questions have been raised about the Steelers’ defense at this point, and one of those questions involves wondering exactly why the unit seems to have fallen off a cliff over the past few weeks. One of the most intriguing perspectives bringing an answer to this question were the remarks given by former Steelers Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians when he made a guest appearance on The Pat McAfee Show earlier on Tuesday.
Arians was asked about what kind of changes a new head coach could bring to an organization, and his answer not only shed light on the job that current Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin has done so far, but he adds to his thoughts by pivoting into a comment about the Steelers’ defense that will raise some eyebrows.
“Some players get tired of the message and you have to keep it fresh,” Arians began. “Mike [Tomlin]’s done a great job of keeping it fresh for years. I’m shocked watching their defense play. I’m just totally shocked, because talent’s not the issue. They got talent, they went out and got all those guys in free agency, and it’s just amazing to me to watch the Steelers play right now. It’s almost like they don’t have Steeler pride. When you get booed on Renegade? Something’s wrong.”
Arians is exactly right on the last portion of his answer. During the second half of the game against the Bills, it seemed as if the Steelers’ defense just gave up on the field once the Bills got hot. Once Bills quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook got on a roll, Pittsburgh went cold and failed to adjust when they realized what they were doing in the first half was no longer working. For the highest paid defense in the NFL and one of the better defenses all year at stopping the run, the fact that the Steelers couldn’t stop anything on the ground was and is alarming.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills in Week 13 of 2025.
Arians is also right about the Steelers having talent on the defense, because they showed up well during the first half. Allen was intercepted by Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols on their opening drive, and Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig was able to force a fumble against Cook in the second quarter. The team had the ability to keep the Bills’ offense contained, but only did so for roughly 30 minutes. Unfortunately for the Steelers, football is a 60-minute game, and they were unable to keep things going strong for the entirety of the contest.
Arians’ remark on the Steelers’ defense also brings to light a very important question that will need to be answered soon if the Steelers want to remain competitive.
Steelers Need To Find Answers On Defense
The Steelers have been unable to generate any kind of consistency on defense within recent weeks. Tomlin even said that the team had a plan on defense to stop the Bills, which ultimately fell apart. Before it’s too late, the Steelers have to be able to find answers with the AFC North on the line.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills in Week 13 of 2025.
What did you think about Arians’ thoughts on the Steelers’ defense? Let us know in the comments below, or on our social media pages!