
Former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison did not hold back on the Steelersâ coaching staff after Sundayâs 31-28 loss to the Chicago Bears. The same issues keep on popping up for the Steelers, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Steelers have given up 30-plus points five times this season, the first time thatâs happened since 2013.
âDefense. Soft. Iâm tired of seeing the offensive lineman pushing our defensive line 2-3 yards,â Harrison said on the Deebo & Joe podcast.. âWeâre undisciplined, poorly coached, or both. We have a horrible defensive scheme. Itâs trash, itâs garbage. We canât adjust.
âWe just sit there and stare at the quarterback. We canât put out a fire! Weâre situationally trash. We canât do the routine things routinely!â
Harrison also ripped offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for having tight end Darnell Washington block Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat. Sweat beat Washington twice for a sack, the second one resulting in a fumble and turnover.
âItâs a sack/fumble because somebody decided to leave the tight end one-on-one with the same dude that caused a sack before that he was playing against,â Harrison said. âWhy are we letting, heâs a tight end for a reason. I donât give a damn if heâs 311 (pounds). 311 donât mean nothing if he canât block. Why are we letting the tight end go one on one with the same dude that beat him on a sack the sack before?â
Harrison makes valid points. The Steelers were certainly not a buttoned-up team on Sunday. The schematics and lack of discipline continue to be an issue. Mike Tomlin, Teryl Austin and Arthur Smith all are at fault.
The Steelers made several mistakes that simply should have not happened â the failed tush push attempt with Connor Heyward on fourth-and-1, the illegal formation penalty late in the game that negated a 22-yard Mason Rudolph run, playing Cover 3 against four verts on D.J. Mooreâs 25-yard touchdown, deploying nickel with two defensive tackles on Kyle Monangaiâs 2-yard touchdown run.