Tomlin defends DC Austin despite Steelers' defensive struggles

While Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin admitted he's not happy with the defense's performance, he says those negative feelings don't extend to the man in charge of the unit, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

"I've known Teryl a long time," Tomlin said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "He's very capable. He's very thorough. I've largely been pleased with his work, but certainly he and I are not pleased with where we are right now from a defensive unit perspective, and so we're just going to keep working."

The Steelers' defense allowed a combined 68 points over the last two games, both resulting in losses. In Sunday's 35-25 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh surrendered 28 second-half points. The Steelers allowed 33 points to the Joe Flacco-led Cincinnati Bengals - including 16 points in the second half - the week prior. Flacco and Packers quarterback Jordan Love combined for 702 passing yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions over those two games.

Tomlin said taking over play-calling duties from Austin is "not on the table as we sit here today."

Pittsburgh's defense has been one of the major disappointments of the 2025 season thus far. The Steelers haven't gotten a return on their investment after adding playmakers such as Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay into a group that already featured T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.

The Steelers' defense ranks 30th in yardage allowed and last in passing defense.

Pittsburgh is 4-3 heading into Sunday's matchup with the high-octane Indianapolis Colts, who are 7-1 and averaging a league-leading 33.8 points per game.