Kaboly On Steelers’ Defensive Breakdowns: ‘You Might Inform’ Gamers Needed To Say ‘One thing About Any individual Particular’

One is random, two is a coincidence, three is a development. For the Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection, they’ve performed below-the-line in three-straight video games with miscommunication and blown assignments riddling all three of their current losses. Frustration boiled over into media quotes following Wednesday’s 29-10 loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, a recreation the place Pittsburgh’s protection had little reply for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and firm. Steelers’ beat author Mark Kaboly was a type of within the locker room and he may sense gamers wished they might’ve mentioned much more.

“One thing was a bit off yesterday after the sport,” Kaboly mentioned throughout a Thursday look on the Pat McAfee Present. “You possibly can inform folks wished to say one thing about any individual particular, however they bit their tongue.”

Kaboly referenced DT Cam Heyward’s remark that 10 gamers do their job however one doesn’t, “we’re screwed.” Whereas that gave the impression to be normal commentary on the necessity for everybody to be on the identical web page and any weak hyperlink can be exploited, teammates made extra particular feedback about gamers explicitly not doing their job. Essentially the most pointed ones got here from SS DeShon Elliott who vented to reporters following the sport.

It’s not clear if Kaboly’s evaluation is correct and in that case, which participant could possibly be underneath probably the most quantity of scrutiny. It will have to be a defensive participant who’s enjoying many of the snaps or at the very least, ones on vital downs. LB Patrick Queen wears the inexperienced dot and by no means leaves the sector and any on-field communication issues focus on him. That doesn’t make him answerable for each busted protection however simply in the way in which offensive points are labored from the quarterback-out, the identical applies for the defensive quarterback. However Queen has expressed frustration the previous two video games over gamers not doing their jobs. He would know higher than anybody else.

FS Minkah Fitzpatrick has seemingly been across the ball for a lot of of those breakdowns, together with the Chiefs’ first landing yesterday to WR Xavier Worthy. A play the place Worthy lined up at working again and jetted to the flat, open and turning upfield for the rating. Kaboly shared Mike Tomlin’s message this weekend was “don’t get beat to the flat,” solely to look at the protection get overwhelmed precisely that method all through the sport. CB Cam Sutton is barely enjoying in sub-packages however has additionally seemingly been across the miscues.

“They made it identified that any individual, one, two, three individuals who is aware of, are going exterior of their capabilities,” Kaboly mentioned of the Steelers’ repeated points. “Possibly attempting to play possibly hero ball.”

In Saturday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Heyward mentioned that was largely the problem, together with blaming himself for attempting to do an excessive amount of. Clearly, the Steelers aren’t following the precept of “do your job” and creating huge issues and breakdowns.

Seemingly, the problem runs deeper than one participant. And Kaboly believed the gamers weren’t criticizing the scheme a lot as teammates, making it much less probably issues had been directed at DC Teryl Austin. No matter and whoever the explanation and the fault, it should get mounted. Or else the issues will proceed and the Steelers’ season will finish after Wild Card weekend.