The Steelers were one of the best tackling teams in the league in 2018, but a lack of coverage is what got Pittsburgh in trouble.
The Steelers have always been known for having physical defenses. From the days of the late Chuck Noll, to the fiery Bill Cowher, until the cool, calm, and collected, Mike Tomlin, physicality has always been a priority in Pittsburgh.
Part of that physical mentality that comes with being a Pittsburgh Steeler is the expectation of being a great tackler.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Steelers were the best tackling team in the AFC North, and the 9th best in the NFL:
The Steelers were tops in the AFC North in team tackling grade last season! pic.twitter.com/NpVNKhuWhu
— PFF (@PFF) June 16, 2019
The Steelers earned a more than respectable grade (in PFF standards) of an 83.5 in terms of tackling. However, I think that goes to show you that tackling is clearly not the most important factor to a successful defense.
What the Steelers really struggled at last season was their coverage ability – particularly from the linebacker position.
It is interesting that Pro Football Focus elected to use Jon Bostic in their picture for this tweet. Bostic rated out as one of the best tacklers in the league last season. However, what we are failing to recognize from this tweet is his dismal ability in pass coverage.
Though much of this can be blamed on Keith Butler for getting Bostic matched up against players like Keenan Allen in the final drive of the game, Bostic and Vince Williams both were well below average in terms of their coverage ability.
This lack of coverage over the middle of the field proved to be costly in more games that one, and may have been responsible for the loss against the Chargers (one that would have been vital to their playoff run).
As you know, the Steelers made it a priority to add speed and coverage ability this offseason by trading into the top 10 of the NFL Draft to land linebacker, Devin Bush. The young Michigan product should be an upgrade over Bostic in nearly every way from week one – particularly in pass coverage.
Though Bush has some mental lapses himself, he’s a far superior athlete than Bostic and flashed the ability to mirror tight ends and running backs down the field.
I will not go as far as to say that tackling doesn’t matter – it certainly does. However, as good as the Steelers were at tackling the ball carrier last season, it didn’t help them in their awful coverage over the middle of the football field.
The Steelers’ acquisitions of Devin Bush, Justin Layne, and Steven Nelson make it clear that they know their coverage is something that is in need of a serious upgrade. I expect them to be better in this area in 2019.