Tomlin Admits Adjustments Are Ongoing

The Steelers are making changes on defense.
After their win over the Patriots, it’s clear they’re still figuring things out.
Coach Mike Tomlin even admitted the unit is still coming together.

New Faces in the Rotation

One of the biggest changes came at inside linebacker.
Cole Holcomb saw more snaps, while Payton Wilson focused on passing downs.

Safety Jabrill Peppers also played a major role.
He rotated with Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark.

At nose tackle, Daniel Ekuale stepped up against his former team.
He was a force in the run game.

Both Holcomb and Peppers made big plays.
Holcomb forced a fumble, and Peppers helped set up a key recovery by T.J. Watt.

Why These Moves Matter

According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, these changes may stick.
The Steelers were giving up 4.4 yards per carry.
Adding a physical linebacker like Holcomb was meant to stop the bleeding.

It worked.
And Peppers is carving out a role for himself.
He might even keep his snaps when DeShon Elliott returns from injury.

Opportunity Meets Necessity

Some of these moves came from injuries.
The Steelers signed Peppers only after Elliott went down in the opener.

Thornhill wasn’t brought in to start.
Clark wasn’t signed until training camp.
Peppers was available only because the Patriots cut him.

Now that he’s here, Pittsburgh might keep using him.

Concerns With Playing Time

Not every change is positive.
Ekuale getting more snaps means Keeanu Benton is playing less.
That’s not ideal for a player who should be developing.

The same goes for Payton Wilson.
He’s supposed to be a core piece of this defense.

The coaching staff doesn’t want permanent changes.
They want their starters to earn their snaps back.
But they’ll have to prove it first.

Pressure on Young Players

Benton is in his third season.
Criticism of his development started last year.
Now, some beat writers think he could lose his starting role.

That would be a setback.
The hope is that Benton justifies his place on the field.
Until then, his progress will keep being questioned.