The chaos began with a bounce. Under the bright lights, the Seattle Seahawks seized a 31-17 win after a single special team’s blunder turned momentum upside down. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, it wasn’t just another loss. It was a collapse that dragged their proud defense to a 36-year low and thrust rookie Kaleb Johnson into an unwanted spotlight.

The turning point came early in the fourth quarter. After Jason Myers put Seattle ahead 17-14 with a 54-yard field goal, Johnson let the ensuing kickoff slip through his hands and roll into the end zone. Believing the play was dead, he walked away. But George Holani had other ideas, scooping it up and scoring a jaw-dropping touchdown. Just like that, six seconds wiped out Pittsburgh’s hopes and handed Seattle a sudden 24-14 lead.

The Steelers never recovered. Although Chris Boswell managed to narrow the gap with another 54-yarder, Seattle quickly responded. Sam Darnold connected with AJ Barner and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, setting up Kenneth Walker III for a 19-yard touchdown run. With the score at 31-17 and less than four minutes on the clock, the game was all but over. A late interception of Aaron Rodgers by Coby Bryant just confirmed what everyone already knew.

After the game, Mike Tomlin didn’t hold back on his rookie. He called Johnson’s mistake “poor judgment by a young player,” refusing to sugarcoat it. This was a rare public critique from a coach who usually shields his players. Johnson’s blunder wasn’t just a costly mistake; it became a symbol of a team unraveling before our eyes.

For the first time under Tomlin, Pittsburgh has allowed 31 or more points in each of its first two games. A defensive slump not seen since 1989. Back then, they kicked off the season with crushing defeats of 51-0 and 41-10. Now, history is repeating itself. A proud franchise, once built on defensive strength, is suddenly leaking points, and one missed kickoff has come to define their stumble into unwanted history.

Steelers hit by injuries as Mike Tomlin faces defensive crisis in loss to Seahawks

The Pittsburgh Steelers walked off the field on Sunday feeling battered, bruised, and defeated after a 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. What was meant to be a bounce-back game turned into a real gut punch.

Head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed after the game that four defenders ended up on the injury list. Defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith both suffered high-ankle sprains. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen had to leave briefly due to a rib injury, while rookie Payton Wilson had to exit because of heat-related fatigue but managed to return.

Highsmith’s injury is the most concerning. According to Ian Rapoport, high-ankle sprains usually keep players out for four to six weeks, and Highsmith might be heading to injured reserve. This is a tough blow for a defense that’s already missing key players like DeShon Elliott, Joey Porter Jr., and Derrick Harmon.

On a brighter note, young pass rusher Nick Herbig made a name for himself with two tackles for loss and a pass defended in his season debut. With T.J. Watt still leading the charge, Pittsburgh is hoping Herbig can help fill the gap left by Highsmith’s absence.

There were bright spots. Jalen Ramsey grabbed his first interception, and rookie Jack Sawyer flashed in limited snaps. But flashes won’t fix what’s broken.

Now 1-1, the Steelers face the New England Patriots next. They’ll need answers fast—or risk watching their proud defense unravel further.