Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson has criticized defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and the team's scheme for its poor performance this season. The Steelers' defense ranks 28th in the league and has struggled with consistency, allowing big runs like nearly 250 yards to the Buffalo Bills recently. Analyst Chris Hoke also pointed to issues with defensive tackle Keeanu Benton's gap assignments.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense, long a hallmark of the franchise, has underperformed this season, currently ranked 28th in the league. Former cornerback Steven Nelson, who played for the team in 2019 and 2020, blamed defensive coordinator Teryl Austin for the woes during a recent appearance on TR5NT’s YouTube channel.
"The defensive scheme is ass," Nelson said. "The DC need to get the fuck up out of there. Teryl Austin, he was the DB coach when I was there. I didn’t think he was that great then, but now he’s the DC. It’s an opportunistic defense. The scheme, they’ve been running the same shit every year. There’s been no adjustments. That’s why you see motherfuckers running through for 200 yards a game on the highest paid defense… They’ve been running that same scheme even before Teryl Austin got there. People eventually gonna catch on."
Nelson noted the Steelers' loyalty to coaches as a potential issue, stating, "Pittsburgh’s loyal to their coaches. That’s the problem. That’s why they’ve got fucking Teryl Austin still there… Get the DC sorry ass up out of there." Linebacker Patrick Queen has echoed similar concerns about the scheme. Despite talent like T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, and Cam Heyward, the unit has shown vulnerabilities, including getting beaten on the same play multiple times earlier in the year.
In their latest game, a loss to the Buffalo Bills, the defense allowed nearly 250 yards on the ground. Former Steelers player Chris Hoke highlighted specific issues with defensive tackle Keeanu Benton on 93.7 The Fan’s Pomp and Joe Show. "Everybody’s supposed to have a gap. It’s whether the guys are in the gap, and there’s a lot of times when guys just aren’t in their gap," Hoke said. He cited a play where Benton, lined up as a 0-tech nose tackle, moved to the B-gap instead of staying in the A-gap, allowing Bills running back Ray Davis a 15-yard run.
"Keeanu Benton routinely goes to the B-gap," Hoke added. "If I would have done that, I would’ve been on the team for two days." Benton, a third-year player, has had an inconsistent season, improving in Weeks 9 through 11 but struggling again recently. Hoke noted similar issues with rookie Yahya Black but emphasized Benton's experience. Former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman has also criticized the Steelers' unchanging scheme. The team may consider changes if they miss the playoffs.