It was a pretty hideous showing for the 1-1 Pittsburgh Steelers this week. This week's game against the Seattle Seahawks was in reach until the last few minutes, as mistakes and blunders compounded on themselves en route to the loss.
In short, this team has some major issues that need to be addressed, and soon.
The offense failed to keep pace, as Aaron Rodgers looked more like what most expected him to. The defense improved, but still has massive holes that shouldn’t be there given the investments in the room. And as for special teams, yuck.
After riding the high of their Week 1 victory, this team just came crashing back to earth. They will need to rebound if they want to preserve this early stretch of the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers winners and losers from deflating week two loss to the Seahawks
Loser: Kaleb Johnson
The biggest loser this week, and it isn’t close. While the rookie not getting playing time on offense is disappointing, it isn’t the most surprising thing. His main role for the time being is as a kick returner.
Letting a kick bounce into the endzone and allowing the Seahawks to score a free touchdown? This is just all sorts of bad.
Johnson was rightfully taken off the kickoff team, and he may be in the doghouse for a few weeks. His dreams of a dominant rookie season may have just flown out the window. This was a blow that killed the Steelers this week.
Winner: Jaylen Warren
That Jaylen Warren contract is already looking pretty sweet right now. With Johnson nonexistent, it has been the Warren show so far. He hasn’t had great success on the ground, but the line has been putrid with their blocking.
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That said, Warren has still found ways to produce, including a score in week one and an impressive 65-yard reception this week. He has been the only consistent player through two weeks.
Loser: T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt wasn’t an abject offender with a key blunder this week. That said, he has also been a ghost these past two weeks and hasn’t made the impact that you would normally expect.
That alone is bad. Worse yet is that the offseason was filled with constant drama about his new contract.
He hasn’t played up to it yet, and that is disappointing. Yes, teams game plan around him, but superstars overcome that. He hasn’t recently, and it really makes you wonder if regression is starting to set in.
Winner: Nick Herbig
Nick Herbig was his usual self in his 2025 season debut. He got pressure on the quarterback and made big plays. His play should tick upward depending on the severity of Alex Highsmith’s injury. His interception was vital in getting the Steelers back in this game.
Loser: The Offensive Line
Fans like to dump on Broderick Jones (and for good reason), but the entire offensive line hasn’t been up to standard through two weeks. Troy Fautanu hasn’t looked like a homerun at right tackle, while the interior has failed to get any sort of push in the run game.
This certainly doesn’t look like a unit with multiple high draft picks and a moderately paid veteran in Isaac Seumalo. This group looks even worse than last year, which can’t continue considering the investments that have been made.
Loser: Coaching Staff
While player blunders are on the players, the sloppiness of the team through two weeks has been noticeable. This was further exposed in week two. This goes beyond just the massive mistake on special teams.
The defense was focused on stopping the run this year, yet they haven’t been able to stop a nose bleed this year. The offense can’t get the ground game going and had an anemic passing plan this week. From top to bottom, this team appears to be lost right now.