Steelers Offseason Recall: Early issues surface in home opener loss to Seahawks

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to 1–1 on the 2025 season following a 31–17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in their home opener at Acrisure Stadium, and the performance raised significant concerns across all three phases.

Defensively, Pittsburgh delivered one of its most concerning outings in recent memory. The unit allowed 31 points and 395 total yards, including 278 through the air and 117 on the ground. It marked the first time a Mike Tomlin-led team had allowed 30 or more points in each of the first two games of a season. Seattle consistently moved the ball with ease, capitalizing on missed tackles, blown coverages, and a lack of pass rush against quarterback Sam Darnold.

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The run defense continued to be a major liability. After allowing a 100-yard rusher in Week 1, the Steelers once again struggled to contain the ground game. Kenneth Walker III averaged 8.1 yards per carry and found the end zone, while Seattle totaled eight rushing first downs. Two extended scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including a 73-yard march capped by a Walker touchdown on third-and-nineteen, effectively sealed the game.

Despite the defensive struggles, there were isolated bright spots. The Steelers generated turnovers, including an interception by Jalen Ramsey and a tipped pass that resulted in another takeaway. Rookie Jack Sawyer led the team in tackles and recorded a sack, while Payton Wilson and Nick Herbig also contributed impact plays. However, those moments were overshadowed by the defense’s inability to get off the field consistently.

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Offensively, the issues were just as evident. Aaron Rodgers completed 18 of 33 passes (54.5%) for 203 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He was sacked three times but faced pressure throughout the game, as the offensive line allowed a 48% pass rush win rate. Rodgers had already been hit 15 times through the first two weeks, highlighting ongoing protection issues.

The struggles up front weren’t limited to pass protection. The Steelers managed just 72 rushing yards as a team, failing to establish balance on offense. Interior linemen Mason McCormick and Isaac Seumalo had difficulties holding their blocks, while inconsistent run blocking limited opportunities for sustained drives.

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Jaylen Warren provided one of the few offensive bright spots. He totaled 134 yards from scrimmage, including 48 rushing yards on 14 carries (3.4 average) and 86 receiving yards on four catches. His 65-yard catch-and-run was the Steelers’ biggest offensive play of the game and briefly shifted momentum in the third quarter.

Still, any chance of a comeback unraveled on special teams. With the game tied entering the fourth quarter, a 54-yard field goal by Seattle gave them the lead before a critical error on the ensuing kickoff changed everything. Rookie Kaleb Johnson failed to secure a live ball that bounced into the end zone, resulting in a Seahawks touchdown. The sequence created a sudden 10-point swing and forced Pittsburgh into a one-dimensional, catch-up mode.

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From that point on, the Steelers were unable to recover. Rodgers threw another interception late, and the offense managed just a field goal the rest of the way. While the special teams mistake proved costly, the loss was the result of a complete team failure.

Through two weeks, Pittsburgh had yet to establish a consistent identity. Defensive breakdowns, offensive line struggles, and costly errors continued to pile up, leaving the team searching for answers as the early part of the season unfolded.

Stay tuned as we revisit another key moment from last season in next week’s Recall.