The Pittsburgh Steelers’ run defense was not good in 2021. In fact, it was the worst run defense in the NFL, as Pittsburgh gave up an average of 146.1 yards per game. Inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky told Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com that isn’t acceptable.
“The standard is not last year,” Olsavsky said. “The standard is years previous, a top 10 run defense, that’s the standard.”
In 2020, Pittsburgh finished 11th against the run, but the loss of Stephon Tuitt for the season and the Week 2 loss of Tyson Alualu for the season in 2021 hurt Pittsburgh’s run defense more than anyone would’ve thought.