Steelers Have Surprising Player Causing Issues Within The Defense
The Pittsburgh Steelers were considered one of the favorites to have the best defense in the NFL heading into the 2025 season. Through the first two games, however, they have statistically been graded as one of the worst units in the league. That’s a major concern considering how highly paid this defense is. The Steelers' defense has been struggling since the end of the 2024 season. Those issues have presented themselves already in the 2025 season.
On top of that, they are loaded with playmakers such as Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, Jalen Ramsey, and several others. One player expected to take an even bigger leap in his second season was inside linebacker Payton Wilson. During his rookie season, Wilson impressed Steelers fans with his playmaking ability. He’s incredibly fast and seemingly everywhere on the field, but not everyone believes he has been good so far in 2025.
Steelers fans got an interesting evaluation from The 33rd Team’s Steve Palazzolo when he joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday. Palazzolo pointed out that while Wilson has all the athletic tools to thrive at the NFL level, his instincts and consistency are still developing. He explained that Wilson often flashes the speed and range that made him such a promising draft pick, but he can also get caught out of position against the run or when diagnosing play-action.
"I don't think Payton Wilson's been good," Palazzolo said while speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Friday. "There's been multiple plays he's been out of position, that play he's been pancaked, and I like him as a player, and that's why the disappointment."
That inconsistency has contributed to the Steelers’ defensive struggles early in the season, especially in key moments when the unit has failed to get off the field. For a defense with championship expectations, these growing pains are magnified.
Whether Palazzolo’s analysis is accurate or not is important. So far, what he has seen from Wilson hasn’t inspired much confidence. Wilson is a young player still learning the NFL, and he is clearly incredibly talented. It seems the main concern is simply getting him consistently in the right spots.
At the same time, Palazzolo made it clear that Wilson’s upside remains undeniable. He believes that with more experience and coaching, Wilson can emerge as a true difference-maker alongside veterans like Watt and Heyward. The Steelers are banking on him to help Queen stabilize the middle of their defense, something that has been a weakness in recent years.
If Wilson can elevate his play, the defense has the talent to quickly rebound and reestablish itself as one of the most feared groups in the NFL. For now, however, the gap between potential and performance is at the center of Pittsburgh’s early-season concerns.
Steelers' Defense Looking To Quickly Bounce Back In Week 3
The Steelers' defense has given up almost 800 yards of total offense through the first two games. That is simply not acceptable considering the talent on this roster and the resources invested in this unit.
The defense has struggled to be effective, getting gashed on the run, exposed in the same ways for consecutive weeks, and showing communication issues. This group has several new faces and has dealt with some injuries. It is a long season, but the Steelers' defense is confident they can bounce back quickly in Week 3 on the road against the New England Patriots. Wilson will also be looking to have a much better showing in Week 3.
How would you grade Payton Wilson's play during his first two games with the Steelers for the 2025 season?
Commanders Defensive Coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. Recognizes Brock Bowers as Elite Threat
The Las Vegas Raiders‘ offense has been unpredictable through the first two games of the 2025 NFL season. After a Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, the Silver and Black struggled mightily in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Quarterback Geno Smith completed 24 of 43 passes for 180 yards but threw three interceptions and failed to reach the end zone. Las Vegas have also struggled on the ground, with rookie Ashton Jeanty yet to reach 20 carries in a single game this season.
One of the Raiders’ offensive players that the Washington Commanders will look to take away from Smith is tight end Brock Bowers. Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will be looking to limit the star’s impact in the game, but there’s a lot of respect for the player.
“A dynamic, young tight end that when you talk about being one of the best receiving threats, you have to almost treat him like a receiver,” Whitt said (h/t Raiders.com). “He’s just a dynamic player.
“I remember watching him when he was at Georgia when he was a freshman and I was like, if he came out, he’d probably be the first tight end to get drafted if he came out as a freshman. So, I have a lot of respect for him.”
Can Brock Bowers Take Advantage of Washington’s Defense?
A significant reason why the Commanders will want to limit the impact that Bowers can have on the game is because of the damage that Green Bay Packers‘ Tucker Kraft caused in Washington’s Week 2 loss.
Kraft recorded six receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown, so former NFL player Robert Griffin III advised Las Vegas to replicate this formula to secure a win.
“Honestly, this week [the Raiders] have some pretty good mismatches against this Commanders defense in the tight end room,” Griffin said on “The Silver and Black Show.“ “Last week, the Washington Commanders gave up 156 yards receiving to the Green Bay Packers’ tight ends.
“So if Brock Bowers is healthy and hopefully can get that knee brace off or be a little bit more comfortable with it on, it should be a field day for them in the middle of the field.”
It will be interesting to see if offensive coordinator Chip Kelly can use what Kraft did against the Commanders and have Bowers exploit the middle of the field.
Raiders Remain Cautious With Brock Bowers
The Raiders’ Week 3 injury report listed Bowers as a limited participant on September 18, marking progress from last week’s opening practice when he didn’t take the field at all.
Last week, he sat out the first two practices entirely, so logging another limited session would represent another encouraging step forward. That’s a positive sign for his chances of suiting up against the Commanders, though his status will become clearer as the week goes on.
Through two games this season, Bowers has drawn eight targets and hauled in five catches each time. The production, however, has varied—he exploded for 103 yards in Week 1 but managed only 38 in Week 2.
