The Pittsburgh Steelers started the 2024 season defying expectations. At one point, they were 10-3, soaring with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Many pundits were actually apologizing for doubting Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. However, the bottom soon fell out as the team lost five straight games to finish the season. This historic collapse has sparked widespread frustration among fans. In Pittsburgh, the standard is Super Bowls, and the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, making this collapse even more painful. The team had finally positioned itself to end that drought and win the AFC North.
Throughout the losing streak, one thing became clear—players were starting to voice their frustrations. Many spoke out about teammates not doing their jobs. Patrick Queen, in particular, was vocal after every loss, and DeShon Elliott emerged as one of the louder voices during the downturn. Fast forward to the 2025 offseason, and the Steelers made a significant move, hiring Gerald Alexander as their new defensive backs coach. This likely means the end for secondary coach Grady Brown, whose contract was not renewed. Brown, once seen as a rising star in the NFL coaching ranks, is now likely on his way out, leaving many puzzled by the decision.
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter was joined by Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to discuss Tomlin's decision to make a change at DB coach. Fittipaldo provided some intriguing insights into the move.
"You gotta trust that Mike Tomlin knows what he's doing here," Fittipaldo said. "This was Mike's decision. How many blown coverages did we see late in the season? And actually throughout the season? I mean, you go back to Indianapolis and Dallas, it was an issue that never really got fixed."
Fittipaldo believes that the Steelers’ communication issues, which were evident even before the five-game losing streak, played a significant role in the decision not to renew Brown’s contract.
While he’s not entirely certain, Fittipaldo also suggests that Aaron Curry may be in a similar situation. He hints that these two coaches—Curry and Brown—are being positioned as the scapegoats for the team’s struggles.
"And really, I don't know this for sure, only Mike will be able to address this the next time we talk to him, but Aaron Curry was part of that, too," Fittipaldo said. "Patrick Queen was the hub of the defense. The communication between the second and third levels, the defense really were off all season. So, I don't know if both those guys were scapegoated, but it certainly seems like those issues that were ongoing throughout the season that were never fixed, it looks like it cost Grady and Aaron Curry both of their jobs."
Curry joined the New York Jets in the 2025 offseason as their linebackers coach, a move that raised some eyebrows. Many found it odd that Curry would leave the Steelers for a similar role with the Jets. However, others saw it as a promotion, considering he had been the inside linebackers coach in Pittsburgh and is now in charge of the entire linebacker unit in New York.
Steelers Seem To Blame Aaron Curry And Grady Brown For Defensive Failures
Regardless of how it's viewed, the move still feels strange and may lend some credibility to what Fittipaldo has suggested. Could it be that Brown and Curry were indeed the coaches Tomlin held accountable for the defensive issues that never got resolved? These weren't the two individuals most Steelers fans pointed to when placing blame, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. Fittipaldo’s perspective on these unexpected coaching changes gives us an interesting angle on the behind-the-scenes decisions.
In conclusion, the Steelers' coaching shake-ups raise questions about internal accountability and the future of their defensive strategies. With these changes now in place, it will be interesting to see how the Steelers' defense evolves under new leadership and whether the team can finally overcome the issues that held them back in 2024. The coming season will reveal whether Tomlin's adjustments have the desired impact or if the struggles persist.
