The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has been a source of concern for fans and analysts alike, particularly in the area of third-and-long situations. The team's struggles on these downs have been a significant factor in their disappointing 2025 season, costing them valuable drives and points. However, there is a glimmer of hope for improvement in 2026, and one fix could potentially return the defense to top-10 form.
One of the most glaring issues was the pass rush's inability to get home often enough. The Steelers' high-priced pass-rushing tandem, led by T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, failed to make the necessary plays, resulting in a 12th-worst mark in the NFL for converting third-and-10 or longer situations. This allowed opponents to convert at a rate more than double that of the league's best defense, translating to roughly eight extra drives kept alive over the course of a season. These extra opportunities often resulted in points, with seven of the unlikely conversions directly putting points on the board and would-be punts turning into long scoring drives five times.
The Steelers' defense was designed to make plays with its talented pass rushers, but they simply didn't happen often enough. This was exacerbated by communication issues and a lack of continuity in the back half, as well as frequent injuries and a talent deficit in the secondary. However, there is reason for optimism in 2026, as the safety position is in a much better place with the return of DeShon Elliott and the addition of Jaquan Brisker, who will help with communication and keeping a lid on deep plays.
Additionally, the pass rush's expectations are increased this year after Herbig received a $100 million extension. New DC Patrick Graham plans on using wrinkles in his defense to feature all three talented pass rushers as often as possible, particularly on third and 10 or longer, where the Steelers had issues last season. With these improvements, fixing this one issue could potentially return the Steelers to top-10 scoring defense form.
In my opinion, the Steelers' defense has the potential to make significant strides in 2026. While there are still challenges, such as communication issues and talent deficits, the team has the talent and resources to address these problems. With the return of key players and the addition of new depth, the defense could be on the verge of a major turnaround. However, it will take time and effort to get there, and the Steelers will need to stay focused and committed to their goals if they want to see success on the field.
