BB.STEELERS SHOCK: Unexpected Defensive Star James Pierre Explodes With Scoop-And-Score – But Is Pittsburgh’s Future Dark?
James Pierre CB Pittsburgh Steelers | Michael Owens/GettyImages
The NFL is a world of disappointment for many, and this season has been exactly that for Mike Tomlin’s defense. It’s the most expensive unit in the league, but the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to have defensive inconsistencies throughout the year. Their recent resurgence is thanks to unsung heroes who no one expected to make a positive impact before the season began.
Nothing has been completely fixed in the secondary, but unexpected opportunities have altered their course in a good direction.
While the acquisition of veteran safety Kyle Dugger has been a pleasant surprise, many believed he had a chance to turn things around. He is playing at a higher standard than most expected. Other than Dugger, the biggest surprise, albeit in limited action, has been James Pierre.
The veteran cornerback is no stranger to Pittsburgh, as he continues to hang onto a roster spot since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He has battled his way to hold onto a job, and his recent play has been the best of his career. Pierre is coming off the best performance of his life against the Cincinnati Bengals, and instead of holding onto his starting spot, he could lose it.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ James Pierre has changed the defense but that might not be enough
Tomlin’s weekly press conference raised many concerns about the future of the secondary. They struggled with Darius Slay in the lineup as the aging veteran has shown his best days are behind him. According to Nick Farabaugh of Penn Live, Tomlin plans to switch back to the former starter when he returns to health, thus benching Pierre despite his strong performance.
“Mike Tomlin says that Darius Slay will return to the starting lineup this week once healthy over James Pierre, but the team will continue to ‘use’ Pierre as well,” Farabaugh tweeted.
It’ll be a hard pill to swallow if the Steelers don’t give Pierre a shot at being a strong contributor for the type of performance he just displayed against Cincinnati. The former undrafted free agent probably can’t sustain that level of play, but Pittsburgh would be wise to roll with him until he falters.
With how up and down this defense is this season, the Steelers could use all the momentum in their favor.
At the end of the day, Slay was paid $10 million to be a starter for Tomlin, and that’s a tough look if he gets benched. With the number of injuries that have kept the aging cornerback in and out of the lineup, don’t be shocked if that continues. The Steelers face a tough test against the increasingly formidable Chicago Bears offense, and Tomlin’s decision to sit Pierre could prove disastrous.
Making it in the NFL is never easy, but it’s only harder when you’re an undrafted free agent trying to hold a starting spot.
Slay is the more experienced option to take on the role, but Pierre is the hot hand who could have a better payoff. If Slay is healthy, expect him to start, but Tomlin reiterated that the defense could have plays saved for Pierre. They will need as much help as possible against the Bears.
