ESPN analyst has one major concern about Steelers defense
Despite improving their rankings 10 spots from 2021 and finishing in the top 10 come the end of last season, the Steelers' defense still has holes. All-Pros, Pro Bowlers, and future Hall of Famers are at various positions on that side of the ball. But there is one group that is creating hesitancy amongst fans and […]
Despite improving their rankings 10 spots from 2021 and finishing in the top 10 come the end of last season, the Steelers' defense still has holes.
All-Pros, Pro Bowlers, and future Hall of Famers are at various positions on that side of the ball.
But there is one group that is creating hesitancy amongst fans and pundits alike:
Inside Linebacker
The position that has plagued the Steelers' defense for years now, ESPN analyst Mina Kimes views the group as a significant issue in 2023, citing a potential pitfall in Pittsburgh:
“My concern, and frankly, it’s been a concern, with Pittsburgh, ever since the retirement of Ryan Shazier, and that’s at linebacker,” Kimes said on NFL Live. “Because looking at that depth chart, that’s what stands out to me. The very middle of the defense is continuing to be an issue, both potentially in run defense and in coverage."
“You’ve got Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts coming in as a free agents, and if I was an offense playing that team, that is what I would look to attack, in the pass game, as well as running the football. I think that could be a potential pitfall in an otherwise really good unit.”
And this is a concern that I have highlighted since free agency. I understand the staff wanting to get back to their "roots" at the position, and I'm not saying another round of speed guys would have been the fix, but the new group lacks the ability to cover ground, something that modern offenses can easily exploit.
That means there will have to be adjustments made to cover up the deficiencies in pass coverage that players like Holcomb, Roberts, and Robinson possess.
Steelers fans just hope the patchwork will be good enough to keep their playoff chances afloat.
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