{"id":395719,"date":"2025-09-25T11:39:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T11:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/395719\/"},"modified":"2025-09-25T11:39:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T11:39:07","slug":"steelers-legend-big-ben-takes-aim-at-vanilla-defense-ahead-of-week-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/395719\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers legend Big Ben takes aim at vanilla defense ahead of Week 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

No one is safe from Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> legend Ben Roethlisberger \u2014 not the struggling LT Broderick Jones<\/a> or the 2025 defensive scheme, the latter of which puzzled the future Hall of Fame quarterback less than a week away from the Week 4 Ireland matchup<\/a> vs. the Minnesota Vikings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On a recent episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger<\/a>, Big Ben criticized Pittsburgh’s defense as “vanilla” before turning his attention to a quote from HC Mike Tomlin.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, without studying our defense, it seems like we’re a pretty vanilla defense as it is,” Roethlisberger said. “It doesn’t feel like, to me, we’re getting a lot of unique pressures, unique defenses. And I think even Coach Tomlin said that today in his press conference. He said something along the lines of \u2014 and I’ll probably mess it up \u2014 that ‘situations or circumstances are preventing them from doing things.’ And I don’t know what that means, exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Big Ben added that he isn’t sure what specifically is preventing Pittsburgh from trying new things, but he shared hopes for changes in scheme, such as blitzing CB Jalen Ramsey and utilizing linebackers in unique ways.<\/p>\n

Steelers<\/a> fans will agree that this high-powered defense \u2014 at least on paper \u2014 has been one of the biggest disappointments to start the 2025 season. While Big Ben clearly shares this sentiment, there’s a growing concern surrounding DC Teryl Austin wasting the potential of what should have been a historic defensive start.<\/p>\n

For up-to-date\u00a0Steelers\u00a0coverage, including Pittsburgh’s Week 4 matchup vs. the\u00a0Minnesota Vikings, follow us on X\u00a0@TheSteelersWire<\/a>\u00a0and give our\u00a0Facebook page<\/a>\u00a0a like.<\/p>\n