The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a crossroads-again. After dropping five of their last seven, the team is staring down another late-season slide, a pattern that’s become all too familiar in recent years.
There’s frustration in the air, and not just from the fans. On the field, the cracks are showing across all three phases of the game, and Sunday’s loss only amplified the concerns.
Let’s break down what stood out-for better and worse.
Varsity: Who Showed Up
CB Brandin Echols
Echols came out of the gate hot.
On the Bills' opening drive, he read a screen intended for Khalil Shakir like a seasoned vet, jumping the route even though the pass ultimately fell incomplete. That early anticipation set the tone for him.
Later in the same drive, he picked off Josh Allen, halting Buffalo’s momentum before it could build. Add in two pass breakups on the night, and Echols was one of the few bright spots in the secondary.
EDGE Nick Herbig
Herbig continues to make the most of his reps.
He recorded two tackles for loss and played a key role in the fumble by James Cook that was recovered by Patrick Queen. He’s showing the kind of burst and awareness that coaches love to see from a young edge rusher.
With the way he’s playing, it’s getting harder to keep him off the field.
Junior Varsity: Who Struggled
EDGE T.J. Watt & Alex Highsmith
No sacks. Against backup offensive tackles.
That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering the investment Pittsburgh has made in this pass-rushing duo. Watt’s production has dipped, and while Highsmith has battled through injuries, the impact just hasn’t been there.
Meanwhile, Nick Herbig is making a case for a larger role. It’s a conversation that could get louder this offseason.
Run Defense
The Bills gashed the Steelers for 249 rushing yards-the most ever allowed at Acrisure Stadium.
From the opening snap, when James Cook ripped off an 18-yard gain, Buffalo’s ground game imposed its will. The defensive front couldn’t get off blocks, and the linebackers were a step behind.
One screenshot from the game showed Ray Davis running through a gaping hole that looked more like a freeway than a football field. That image summed up the night.
Entire Offense
It was hard to find a single bright spot offensively.
Kenneth Gainwell made a highlight-reel one-handed catch, but beyond that? Not much.
The passing game was disjointed, the run game was ineffective, and the Steelers managed just 166 total yards. The wide receiver group struggled to gain separation, and timing between Aaron Rodgers and his pass-catchers was clearly off.
This unit has regressed-and fast.
QB Mason Rudolph
Rudolph entered the game and went 0-for-3 with an interception that hung in the air long enough to call fair catch.
It was a tough outing for the veteran backup, and it likely silences any chatter about him getting a longer look. He’s a capable reserve, but Sunday reinforced that he’s not the answer under center.
OC Arthur Smith
Smith isn’t the root of all problems in Pittsburgh, but his play-calling on Sunday didn’t help.
A fourth-and-short run inside the red zone stalled a promising drive, and the offense as a whole couldn’t get anything going against one of the league’s worst run defenses. Rodgers completed fewer than half of his passes, and the game plan never seemed to find its rhythm.
DC Teryl Austin
The defense gave up nearly 250 rushing yards and had no answers for Buffalo’s ground attack.
Austin’s unit looked unprepared and outmatched. For a team that prides itself on defensive identity, that’s a major concern.
The inconsistencies on his watch are piling up, and the calls for change are growing louder.
HC Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin has been the face of stability in Pittsburgh for nearly two decades, but this season is testing that legacy.
The team looks flat, the schemes feel outdated, and the message doesn’t seem to be landing. In a year where the AFC North was wide open, the Steelers couldn’t capitalize.
The question now is whether ownership is ready to turn the page-or if they’ll stay the course and risk more of the same.
The Bigger Picture
Steelers fans have seen this movie before: a promising start, followed by a second-half spiral. It’s become a frustrating cycle-new coordinators, new quarterbacks, same results.
The loyalty to Tomlin is understandable, but at some point, the results have to match the expectations. The fanbase deserves a product that reflects their passion and patience.
This offseason could be pivotal. The roster has talent, but the pieces aren’t fitting together.
If changes are coming, they’ll need to be bold-not just cosmetic. Because if Pittsburgh keeps running it back with the same formula, they might keep getting the same ending.