The Pittsburgh Steelers allowed no more than 10 points in each of their first three games of the 2024 season. Over their final five games, they allowed no fewer than 28 points four times. In fact, after the bye week, they allowed 24 or more points in seven out of 10 games. They allowed over 300 yards in each of their final nine and over 400 in three of their final five.
That is not the defense the Steelers signed up for, nor the defense for which they’re paying top dollar. They have the highest-paid defense in the league and are projected to match that in 2025.