Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion carries between Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Daylen Everette during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion carries between Steelers safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Daylen Everette during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Cleveland.
There seems to be plenty of unwanted noise surrounding the Steelers.
It started last week, when the organization traded away Joey Porter Jr. A road loss less than 24 hours later to the Cleveland Browns made things worse. Not only did the Steelers fall to a division rival, but they looked disorganized and frustrated in the process.
There were arguments on the sidelines and injuries to more key players, issues that had to be addressed by both players and coaches this week.
Porter’s comments upon his arrival in Dallas — along with his participation in the Cowboys’ game this past Sunday — added even more fuel to the fire.
[Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham participates in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Thursday May 21, 2026 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham participates in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Thursday May 21, 2026 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/10/07/joey-porter-trade-patrick-graham-film-study/stories/202610070030)
While chaotic times like these are nothing new on the South Side, it’s fair to assume Mike McCarthy’s team would love for things to calm down.
The Steelers must find a way to silence all the noise. Achieving that objective begins and ends with a better showing on the defensive side of the football.
“Extremely frustrating,” T.J. Watt said following last week’s loss. “ ... Obviously it’s a long season to go, but we just have to put it together.”
It would be nice to see the Steelers’ highly paid defense “put it together” because right now, the opposite seems to be taking place.
Patrick Graham’s unit has looked worse with each game. It started with a strong showing in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, albeit against a third-string quarterback.
While the Steelers were blown out the following week in New England, the defense was hardly at fault. A shaky showing in Week 3 against Cincinnati was largely overlooked due to a stellar performance from Mike McCarthy’s offense.
But when Deshaun Watson and the Browns tallied 27 points, the second time in five days the Steelers gave up that many points, a less-than-favorable picture started to form.
[Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) interact during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) interact during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Pittsburgh, PA. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/10/08/omar-khan-offseason-moves/stories/202610080047)
“We hold ourselves to a high standard,” Cam Heyward said this week. “We expect a lot out of our group. When we don’t, we’re pissed off because of it.”
It would be wrong to assume the defense can’t turn things around. Even with Porter’s departure and some injuries in the secondary, that side of the ball has enough talent to produce better results week after week.
This inconsistent play can’t persist into late October. If things are going to get better, it needs to start soon.
While the NFL is a week-to-week league, we’re at the point in the season when you have a decent idea of what a team actually looks like. The Steelers are fortunate to have some favorable matchups in the near future.
Their next three games come against the Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, none of which boast a winning record. All three games have the opportunity to not only be wins but ones headlined by strong defensive efforts.
It starts Sunday.
The Colts offense averages just 284.3 yards per game, eighth worst in the NFL. It has yet to produce a 100-yard rushing or receiving effort. And its starting quarterback, Daniel Jones, is one of the least talented the Steelers will see this season.
Next week is perhaps even better. The Buccaneers are 0-4 and rank within the bottom 10 of the NFL in yards and scoring.
Tyler Shough and the Saints’ passing attack will provide a tougher challenge in France, but a running game that ranks sixth worst in the NFL won’t require much game planning.
The Steelers defense needs to deliver against this lesser competition.
The players are clearly still getting acquainted with Graham’s scheme and way of coaching. And those two parties simply can’t afford to still not be on the same page come November, when the competition gets notably stiffer.
Unlike last season, when the familiarity with Mike Tomlin’s coaching allowed the defense to find a new gear later into the year, the opposite could be a risk this fall.
Frustration won’t be as easily shaken while trust is still being developed. That, along with a second-half schedule that includes the Bengals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Denver Broncos and two matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, could lead to the season spiraling out of control.
“That’s the beautiful thing about each week: the challenge of the next opponent,” Graham said Monday. “I’m looking forward to it. I take everything in stride and I take everything as a learning experience.”
Graham is correct. He and his players are still figuring things out, which isn’t necessarily a problem at this point in the season.
The Steelers aren’t close to pushing the panic button. That said, it’s not difficult to see a path where this currently amenable situation becomes a far more complicated issue.
Right now, the issues are mostly noise. Silencing that noise is a must over these next three weeks. For Graham’s defense, that starts Sunday against the Colts.
First Published: October 9, 2026, 1:00 a.m.