Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former New England Patriots inside linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Bentley visited with the Steelers on Tuesday.
Bentley is a big thumper of a run stopper, who spent seven seasons with the Patriots.
Inside linebacker Payton Wilson has been a big liability in the first two games. Bentley could provide a boost to the run defense defense that has struggled immensely.
The Steelers play Bentley’s former team on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
Bentley missed nearly all of the 2024 season after sustaining a pectoral injury in Week 2. Before the injury, he recorded 12 combined tackles, including 0.5 sacks, in two games during the 2024 season.
In his 83 career games (67 starts), Bentley has recorded 509 tackles (209 solos), 10.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 29 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and 11 passes defended.
Bentley criticized the Patriots’ decision to release Jabrill Peppers, who’s now with the Steelers.
“Where great players can’t play in it? Must be a helluva scheme,” Bentley wrote on X.
New England parted ways with Bentley in late March, while Peppers was released just before the season after signing an extension just 13 months prior. They’ll now get a chance to play their former team on Sunday.
The Steelers once again got gashed on the ground in Sunday’s 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle rushed for 117 yards on 29 carries (4.0 average). Kenneth Walker III led the Seahawks with 105 yards rushing on 13 carries for a whopping 8.1 average and a touchdown.
It’s the second straight week that the Steelers have allowed over 100 yards rushing. The New York Jets racked up 182 yards (4.7 average) in Week 1.
Overall, the Steelers defense has left a lot to be desired in the first two weeks.
The Steelers have allowed 31+ points in the first two weeks of a season for the first time since 1989. Last year, the defense allowed 30 points twice all season.
“We’re too talented. We have way too good of schemes. To allow this to happen week after week,” a surly T.J. Watt said after the game when asked about the run defense.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sign Run-Stuffing Linebacker
