Offense has been... exceptionally adequate?
Defense is... well... they're the only defense to make the NYJ look like an NFL offense so far.
Offense has exceeded expectations.
Defense is currently an embarrassment based on the names and the payroll. Would be nice to get a real defensive coordinator in place with Tomlin keeping his hands off compared to what he is doing now.
Has the offense really exceeded expectations? They're bottom 10 in total yards per game and rushing yards per game, middle of the pack in passing yards per game and total points per game.
Rodgers threw for nearly 4,000 yards, 28 TDs and 11 INTs last year and by all accounts looked better as the year went on. I think everyone expected him to immediately be an upgrade over Wilson or Fields. which he has been. It's not like the Steelers' weapons on offense are worse than what the Jets had, and they've been just about as effective as you'd expect them to be. Not world beaters, but good enough to be a middle of the pack offense.
The defense has been a joke compared to what they're being paid. Outside of creating turnovers, they've looked bad even in the wins. Of course, they looked bad for the 2nd half of last year too, so that can't be TOO surprising.
A middle of the pack offense and a middle of the pack defense gets you exactly what the Steelers have been for a long time now. Good enough to competitive against most teams, not good enough to really challenge the contenders.
If Tomlin's ego wasn't an issue, they'd have never let Brian Flores leave.