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It’s long past time for Steelers to fire defensive coordinator Keith Butler

By Jeffrey Burton

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs after a catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs after a catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers. /

Steelers vs Chargers – 2018

Butler’s incompetence was, again, obvious in 2018, when for some idiotic reason he had a Linebacker, L.J. Fort, trying as hard as he could and failing to cover Keenan Allen, one of the Chargers top receivers. After the 5th pass completion or so Butler should’ve taken Fort off Allen and put a cornerback on him. He could’ve double-teamed him. Instead, Butler seemed to refuse to make changes allowing Allen to catch a ridiculously high 14 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. The Steelers blew a 16 point lead and the 33 to 30 loss resulted in them missing the playoffs.

This one particularly bothered me because Fort had been having a good season. He had a career-high 48 tackles, 3 for a loss, 3 QB hits, and 1 scoop and score. He had played in 15 games and looked like he would be a high-level sub for the Steelers. This game soured the team on him and now he’s a high-level sub for the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens.

The Chargers game showed Butler’s inability to make meaningful adjustments against the Patriots was not a fluke. Butler had no Plan ‘B’ when his primary game plan had come up short. I’d soon notice he was usually making no adjustments, at all.

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