Shocking: Steelers' Mike Tomlin Gives Lots Of Praise To Darius Slay
Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have already begun to panic despite the 4-3 record. The "historical" defense that was alluded to has instead been in competition with the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals for worst defense in the NFL. Blame has been getting thrown around when in reality, there is not one single person affiliated with Pittsburgh's defense who is not at fault for this absolute disaster of a unit. It's even worse when it feels like they are being handed the AFC North crown, but refuse to actually take it.
During his weekly Tomlin Tuesday press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked all about these defensive issues, including the much-maligned play of cornerback Darius Slay. He refused to actually call him out for his struggles and gave an assessment that many fans do not agree with at all.
"[Darius Slay] has been solid at times certainly," Tomlin said. "He's left a few plays out there, but I think that's not only reflective of him, but reflective of the collective."
Previously, Tomlin was also asked about Slay only playing about 50% of the defensive snaps and being benched for Brandin Echols late in Week 8. Tomlin brushed it off by saying it was just the standard rotation and it wasn't him actually getting benched for anything. He is most likely in his final season in the NFL, so it makes sense that the former Super Bowl champion can't play every down like he used to.
As the broadcasters mentioned on Sunday Night Football, it does seem like Slay gets targeted more often, as he is the weaker link. There are also plenty of clips where he struggles and sometimes fails to make a tackle, leading to a big play. At this point, it is evident that he has lost a step, and it's easier for quarterbacks to prey on him than it is with the others.
Of course, it's not like anyone in this secondary has actually played well. It just feels like out of all the defensive backs, Slay has been the weakest one. There may not be a single player on this unit that can be classified as "solid" at this point, let alone the third-string cornerback that might be close to falling on the depth chart. "At times" may be the only thing accurate about Tomlin's quote.
Steelers May Be Just Trying To Not Embarrass Slay Publicly
Of course, Tomlin isn't going to come out and say that signing him was a big mistake and that he has been an outright disaster on the field. That's not how the Steelers operate. To be fair, it wouldn't make sense to only call him out when nobody on the defense has been particularly good in 2025. Everything has just been downright awful, and changes have to go beyond benching Slay.
Everything has been going wrong for the defense. Even if Slay is truly the weakest link, swapping him out for Echols will not fix the true problems with this team. The defense is not one of the worst units in the NFL just because of one cornerback. The issues go far beyond him. There is arguably not one single player that could come in and make this a Top 25 defense in the league.
Slay has not been solid, but neither have the superstars. The coaching is nowhere near solid either. This defense may not be fixable until 2026, and that would require massive changes that the organization does not like to make. Even after the veteran cornerback retires, it could be a long time before this unit is respectable.
HEART OF A CHAMPION: Jarren Duran Grants 7-Year-Old Fan’s Dying Wish in Emotional Boston Hospital Visit
Boston, MA — In a sport where players are often celebrated for their power and speed,
Last week, Duran made an unannounced visit to 7-year-old Emily Carter, a brave little girl battling a malignant brain tumor at Boston Children’s Hospital. Her final wish wasn’t to attend a game or get autographs — it was simply to meet the player who gave her hope every time he sprinted around the bases in that iconic Red Sox jersey.
What was supposed to be a short video call became something unforgettable when Duran decided to show up in person.
Hospital staff described the moment as “pure magic” when Duran quietly entered Emily’s room carrying flowers, a Red Sox jersey signed
“I’ve scored runs before — but that day, it wasn’t about baseball,” Duran said afterward. “It was about giving hope to someone who never stopped fighting. Emily reminded me that real strength isn’t about speed — it’s about heart.”
For nearly two hours, Duran read to her from “The Little Engine That Could” and talked about his own journey — from being overlooked in the minors to finding his purpose in the majors. Before leaving, he handed Emily a baseball with a handwritten message:
Her mother, Sarah Carter, said tearfully:
“Jarren didn’t come as a celebrity — he came as family. For those two hours, our daughter forgot she was sick. That’s a memory we’ll hold forever.”
The Red Sox organization later released a statement:
“Jarren’s compassion and humility represent everything this franchise stands for — heart, humanity, and hope. He showed the world that being a Red Sox means caring for more than just the game.”
Within hours, the story went viral under #HeartOfAChampion, drawing millions of views and emotional comments. Fans across the country called it “the most beautiful moment of the MLB season.”
For Duran, the moment wasn’t about attention — it was about perspective.
“Baseball will always be here,” he said quietly. “But moments like that remind you that purpose matters more than stats.”
As the Red Sox continue their season, Jarren Duran carries more than Boston’s hopes — he carries the spirit of a little girl who taught him, and the world, that the heart of a champion beats far beyond the ballpark.
