After the Steelers allowed 397 yards and 32 points to the Jets, the defense was supposed to improve in Week 2. However, it was missing as the team made some glaring mistakes in the game against the Seattle Seahawks. This time, they gave up 31 points and 395 yards. This is the first time that the Steelers have allowed a running back to rush for 100 yards under coach Mike Tomlin. It is understandable why Super Bowl winner Kurt Warner is concerned for the team.

And he has a good reason that may have gone unnoticed after the loss. “With the other issues they have as a football team, I think what we saw this last week is more who the Steelers are right now, than what we saw the first week in their ability to come back,” Warner said as per a post by Steelers Depot. He added, “I think all that is representative of who the Steelers are right now. I’m a little concerned about the Steelers.”

The Steelers saw the Seahawks rush for 117 yards. Running back Kenneth Walker III racked up 105 yards rushing on 13 carries. The previous game wasn’t much different from the Jets’ rushing for 182 yards. And Warner believes that this is the real version of the Steelers, where they must work on their run game.

Not to mention the injury issues.

The Steelers collapsed in the fourth quarter, getting outscored by two touchdowns as Seattle pulled away. A kickoff miscue by Kaleb Johnson was the turning point, leading to a Seahawks touchdown that widened the lead to 24-14 and decided the game. The defense has now allowed 30-plus points in two straight games. Against Seattle, the problems persisted, like an inconsistent pass rush, poor run defense, and soft coverage that struggled to contain top receivers.

Linebacker TJ Watt has looked more ordinary than dominant. A concerning trend amid the ongoing contract distractions. The secondary struggled again, with Cooper Kupp nearly giving Seattle a second 100-yard receiver. Up front, the defensive line failed to control the line of scrimmage for the second straight week.

Not just Warner, Dianna Russini pressed on the same issue in her report, pointing out how the run game on both sides hasn’t been good for the Steelers. While Warner expressed his concern, former coach Bruce Arians went on to criticise the Steelers for their embarrassing record in a loss to the Seahawks.

“That was the hardest watch for me on Sunday,” he didn’t sugarcoat it. “To watch that defense, knowing that Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith and James Harrison, all these guys that had played in that defense for all the years, going back to Joe [Greene] and the rest of the guys…Seattle just ran it down their throats at home,” he added.

It turned even more embarrassing since the Steelers have one of the most expensive and talented defensive rosters in the league. Well, the Steelers have seemingly heard the chatter and are making moves, with the latest one right this week.

The Steelers made three big changes to the roster

The Steelers have Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson. And while both players stepped up in Week 2, it wasn’t enough. To address this, the team acquired former Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. To make room on the roster, the Steelers released wide receiver Rakim Jarrett and tight end JJ Galbreath. On the other hand, the team reportedly brought in wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins.

Now, during Bentley’s six-year stint with the Patriots, Bentley recorded 509 combined tackles, two interceptions, 21 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. This season, he is returning after a pectoral injury that cut short his 2024 campaign. However, it’s unlikely that a former starter like Bentley would remain solely on the practice squad. Speaking to reporters, the linebacker mentioned that he had offers from multiple teams but chose the Steelers. “No, I had a few in there. None of that matters, though. I’m where I need to be,” he told the reporters.

Current reports suggest that he has yet to be officially signed to the 53-man roster. Nevertheless, there are reasons to believe he might earn a spot. It remains to be seen what the team decides on the starting job when it faces the Patriots in Week 3.