All through the previous few years, the Steelers’ protection has been what’s saved them aggressive for probably the most half. With quantity of turnover on the offensive facet of the ball this offseason, they might need to do the identical factor once more in 2025. Fortunately, ESPN’s Mina Kimes thinks their unit is able to doing that, though she does have some questions.
“Clearly, that is nonetheless a particularly good defensive entrance that obtained higher,” Kimes stated on her Mina Kimes Present That includes Lenny on Wednesday. “They drafted Derrick Harmon, who’s a pass-rushing defensive sort out who I completely love. I like for them. I like how he matches on this protection. They’ve a lot depth now on the within… I’ve issues concerning the secondary… Beanie Bishop, who weirdly had a number of interceptions however was generally iffy in protection, Minkah Fitzpatrick, coming off a down 12 months… However the expertise is there, I feel.”
It is sensible for Derrick Harmon to be the primary participant Kimes mentions. In spite of everything, he may very properly be crucial addition to the Steelers’ protection. The entrance seven was sturdy for a lot of the 12 months. However on the finish of the common season, their points towards the run have been being uncovered. That’s primarily attributable to a scarcity of depth, which is one thing Pittsburgh addressed within the draft. They picked up Harmon in spherical one, and he already appears to be in line to begin. Except for him, two new rookies, Jack Sawyer and Yahya Black, add some extra beef to the unit.
The secondary is a bit more of a priority. Just like the entrance seven, the secondary had its personal points on the finish of final season, with many lapses in communication towards the move. Joey Porter Jr. had his struggles in 2024, and Darius Slay is now 34 years outdated. Mix that with a drop in manufacturing from Minkah Fitzpatrick final 12 months, and there are legitimate causes to be involved.
Nonetheless, it’s actually not a weak spot on the Steelers’ protection. Porter and Slay are usually not a nasty duo within the slightest, and can profit from having a entrance seven that appears prefer it may very well be dominant. Beanie Bishop Jr. within the slot is a brilliant spot as properly. The undrafted rookie had 4 interceptions final 12 months and allowed a passer ranking of simply 59.5 when focused.
Actually, Kimes thinks the Steelers’ protection solely had one drawback, and it got here towards the worst doable crew.
“I might argue that the Steelers’ protection principally simply had a Baltimore Ravens drawback,” Kimes stated. “As a result of the final time we noticed them, they have been simply getting completely demolished, run over by the Baltimore Ravens… When the Steelers performed groups that weren’t the Baltimore Ravens, they allowed 3.8 yards per carry. The Ravens averaged 6.0 yards per carry… They gotta determine this out.”
It’s a stark distinction, but it surely actually comes by on tape. The Steelers’ losses to the Ravens, each late within the common season and the playoffs, primarily got here attributable to their incapacity to cease the run. And Kimes is correct, it wants fixing going ahead.
If the Steelers are going to compete of their division, they need to be stout defensively. There’s optimism on the offensive facet of the ball, however doubtlessly too many variables to win video games on their very own. Kimes thinks they’re able to doing simply that, however they’ve obtained to be higher towards the Ravens within the course of.
