5 causes for concern following Steelers Week 10 tie

Joe Schobert and Devin Bush have valuable skill sets but they don’t fit

Schobert and Bush are great players with unique skill sets. They don’t both fit in this defense together. They are a great pair to have in passing situations, but neither are showing the ability to get off blocks and make plays in the running game. The Steelers are sorely missing a thumper in the middle of the field as they had in 2020 in Vince Williams.

Robert Spillane needs to be more involved in this defense. He isn’t the long-term answer but as of now would be able to replace either of them in running situations and the situation would improve. Pittsburgh is consistently getting gashed up the middle of the field and with Tj Watt and Highsmith constantly trying to work towards the middle of the defense to make a play running backs who have the ability to cut back are obliterating this defense.

The Steelers have an otherworldly combination at the edge spots but they can’t be relied on in every aspect of the run game. If they are facing a runner who has the ability to cut back Watt and Highsmith are forced to stay honest. The middle of the field is opened because Schobert and Bush aren’t able to shed a block and inside runs that should be 2 or 3-yard gains are consistently 6-8 yard gains. The D-line helps cover for their linebackers but at this point, you can only really on special players so much.

They need the guys in the middle of the field to do their job or the defensive line and edge spots are going to continue to get held back. This front 7 should be elite, but they haven’t been able to be this season because of this.