The Pittsburgh Steelers had factor going for a lot of the 2024 season. Then, issues fell aside. There have been a litany of issues that went improper throughout their five-game dropping streak to finish the season. The Steelers’ protection had loads of points, with lapses in communication being a significant factor. Minkah Fitzpatrick is making a concerted effort to maintain that from taking place once more in 2025.
“There must be no grey,” Fitzpatrick mentioned Tuesday whereas talking to the media after observe. “It ought to simply be ‘That is how we’re doing it, that is how we’re going to speak’. If i provide you with a thumbs up, give me a thumbs up again. So when guys aren’t doing it, it’s establishing, that is what we’re doing, when you don’t wish to do it you ain’t gonna be right here. Otherwise you’re not gonna be on the sphere.”
For the primary half of the 2024 season, the Steelers’ protection performed just like the dominant unit we’ve come to know and respect. With Justin Fields beginning the primary six video games of the season, the Steelers declined to take many dangers with the ball. The offense wasn’t scoring a ton of factors. But it surely did handle to maintain the protection out of any dangerous conditions. The protection paid it again by silencing a lot of the offenses it confronted over the primary half of the season.
Sadly, issues couldn’t have been farther from that because the season got here to an finish. The protection struggled in each of the Steelers’ losses to the Baltimore Ravens late within the 12 months. That loss in an AFC Wild Gard recreation was one of many worst defensive performances the franchise has ever seen, with the Ravens operating at will all through the sport. Throughout that dropping streak, the protection was on the sphere for nearly your entire fourth quarter within the Steelers’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, who ran out the clock with ease.
This 12 months, the protection brings again loads of acquainted faces. The Steelers nonetheless must get T.J. Watt’s contract state of affairs sorted out. Once they do, Watt, Fitzpatrick and Heyward all come again as acquainted stalwarts. A lot of the protection round these three are the identical. The Steelers even have notable contemporary faces in Darius Slay and Derrick Harmon, who ought to every make a huge impact in 2025.
There are many query marks on the offense, although. No one is aware of who the quarterback’s going to be but. After buying and selling George Pickens, there are just a few questions marks at receiver too. Though the Steelers do appear to be seeking to enhance that spot. Regardless, the Steelers know they’ve bought to be nice defensively for this group to make any noise. Thankfully, they’re putting an emphasis on fixing one in all their greatest points from final season.
