Essex: It’s scheme, not talent, on defense

[WindyCitySteel]

Nick Farabaugh just echoed these sentiments on The Fan. The Steelers play guys out of position (like Benton) and don’t disguise anything or change the picture for the QB after the snap. The first TDs by the Jets and Seahawks were nearly identical plays against the same defense. Pick up the undisguised blitz, throw to crosser in single coverage for easy TD.

This smacks of Tomlin bravado, line up and beat your man. Either that, or he’s incompetent and can’t confuse offenses like LeBeau could.

Either way, this team is screwed.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/09/its-definitely-schematics-trai-essex-says-steelers-defense-doesnt-have-talent-issue/

[Flasteel]

Well...if it were solely a talent issue, then the team would be screwed. Harmon can hopefully still be a huge help, but his impact is unknown and we may have to wait another week to get an idea. However, if it's a matter of putting players in more effective spots and mixing things up, then there is hope.

So far, all they have done on the line is replace Larry O and Leal with Black, Otemewu, and Lee at DE and swap out Adams with Ekuale as a backup NT. Not exactly upgrading the talent there. They can still kick Benton outside and move the 336-lb Black inside, where most folks think he belongs. Although it hasn't worked yet, we have seen a lot more of TJ Watt moving to both sides. Maybe they can instead line him up across the line...not just on the edge? How about mixing Cole Holcomb in more on early downs and short yardage situations? Drop the OLBs more and blitz Ramsey or other DBs more often?

These are all things they could do and I'm sure the list is infinitely more expansive than that. The coaches obviously hear the noise that they are too predictable. One would hope that in turning over every single rock to solve these issues, it includes the one they are hiding under.

["BuzzNuter"]

So what are we to believe, that the most incompetent football management including every one from position coach to head coach and the owner is what the Steelers have? It seems that way.

Case in point our last two 1st rd picks don't play in their first season. We pick up players who are on the downhill but we're once good. Remember we had an offensive coordinator who everyone from Art II to the guy behind the bar at Isaly's knew was worthless. We can't run the ball and haven't been able to since Lev Bell. We started Mitch Trubisky over Mason Rudolph. We now have a CB from another team who we pay 25M$ per. We have a lard a** DT who tried to squeeze more $ from us. We have a 30+ year old skinny guy making 40M$ playing Outside who despite the hype can be run on.

Our situation looks historically bad. To me this is like the 89 season. We lost 51-0.to the Browns and then the Bengals beat us 40+ to something and we were 0-2. The difference is we had our own players. Now we have mercenaries in multiple positions of importance who have made millions and can just mail it in because they already got it all.

I just don't see much going forward and believe we are going to move on from a lot of the crap we are carrying.

[The Standard]

Screw it. Go to an old school 4-4.

[WindyCitySteel]

Big nickel — 3-3-5.

BTW, postgame Queen was asked twice if it was scheme or players, he said both times he wasn’t going to answer.

[NorthCoast]

Nick Farabaugh just echoed these sentiments on The Fan. The Steelers play guys out of position (like Benton) and don’t disguise anything or change the picture for the QB after the snap. The first TDs by the Jets and Seahawks were nearly identical plays against the same defense. Pick up the undisguised blitz, throw to crosser in single coverage for easy TD.

This smacks of Tomlin bravado, line up and beat your man. Either that, or he’s incompetent and can’t confuse offenses like LeBeau could.

Either way, this team is screwed.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/09/it...-talent-issue/

Tomlin in his presser: "have to keep it simple because of too many new faces on defense" .... or something to that effect. This is just bizarre comment because they signed a bunch of seasoned vets that should be able to step right into any scheme.

Austin is either incompetent at the level of Matt Canada (the guy who's offense couldn't crack 300 yds, and Austin's defense can't prevent 300 yd games) or a Tomlin flunky, or both.

[Ghost]

Big nickel — 3-3-5.

BTW, postgame Queen was asked twice if it was scheme or players, he said both times he wasn’t going to answer.

That actually makes it super clear which one he thinks is causing issues.

[LPMAN]

That actually makes it super clear which one he thinks is causing issues.

Vince Wlliams said last year if an offensve lineman was between him & the RB or running lane, he would launch his head like a missile into the lineman to launch him backwards & blow up the play,......I think it was obvious he was saying Queen & Wilson are unwilling or unable to do such. From what i've seen i concur.

[Captain Lemming]

Big nickel — 3-3-5.

BTW, postgame Queen was asked twice if it was scheme or players, he said both times he wasn’t going to answer.

THAT silence says more than words ever could say. Heck, I often don't believe what players say. This non answer is an honest reveal that says it all.

[Captain Lemming]

Vince Wlliams said last year if an offensve lineman was between him & the RB or running lane, he would launch his head like a missile into the lineman to launch him backwards & blow up the play,......I think it was obvious he was saying Queen & Wilson are unwilling or unable to do such. From what i've seen i concur.

THAT is how Shazier was a pro bowler, while Williams got no love. We've got too much athlete and not enough beef at the position. We don't need TWO inside backers with essentially the same skill set. Payton is the most athletic but is just not there yet. Holcomb needs to replace him as a starter.

[LPMAN]

https://x.com/ThePoniExpress/status/1967307511683293655

https://twitter.com/Alex_Kozora/status/1967427941425631300

[fordfixer]

Could someone check the back of a milk carton and see if our Defense is there?

[Eich]

Austin is either incompetent at the level of Matt Canada (the guy who's offense couldn't crack 300 yds, and Austin's defense can't prevent 300 yd games) or a Tomlin flunky, or both.

IMO, Austin is a figure head. If it's one thing that Tomlin is in full control over, it's the defense. Year after year after year, we hear players from around the league say how predicable the Steelers defense is. Never changes. They do what they do. So, unless it's full of HOF's and Pro Bowlers, it's going to be below average. The scheme isn't confusing anyone.

It's no shock that Fields had a career day against us. Months ago, I felt in my bones that this would happen. The next 4 games, we face more no-name QBs who are likely to have career days.

[Buzz]

IMO, Austin is a figure head. If it's one thing that Tomlin is in full control over, it's the defense. Year after year after year, we hear players from around the league say how predicable the Steelers defense is. Never changes. They do what they do. So, unless it's full of HOF's and Pro Bowlers, it's going to be below average. The scheme isn't confusing anyone.

It's no shock that Fields had a career day against us. Months ago, I felt in my bones that this would happen. The next 4 games, we face more no-name QBs who are likely to have career days.

Yep.
Even the weaker teams are going to find the way to beat you if you are too predictable. The harsh reality is, Tomlin/Austin are too stubborn, too lazy or too incompetent to change up the scheme. I personally think that, with Tomlin, a lot of this is due to the fact that he knows he's got iron-clad job security.

[WindyCitySteel]

IMO, Austin is a figure head. If it's one thing that Tomlin is in full control over, it's the defense. Year after year after year, we hear players from around the league say how predicable the Steelers defense is. Never changes. They do what they do. So, unless it's full of HOF's and Pro Bowlers, it's going to be below average. The scheme isn't confusing anyone.

It's no shock that Fields had a career day against us. Months ago, I felt in my bones that this would happen. The next 4 games, we face more no-name QBs who are likely to have career days.

A lot of media types think NE is a get well game, I think Maye is going to absolutely shred them and Stevenson is going to run wild.