Can We Expect An Elite Steelers Defense In 2023?
Photo Credit: Philip G. Pavely via USA TODAY Sports
Breaking in a rookie quarterback in the National Football League is never easy, and it proved difficult for the the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022. While the offense took its lumps early and often, the one constant was a solid defense. The Steelers’ defense not only kept them in ball games, they were able to eke out a few games that that they had no business winning (the season opener vs. the Cincinnati Bengals spring immediately to mind). With solid upgrades to the secondary, along with the return of a healthy T.J. Watt, the Steelers will once again have one of the top defensive units in the NFL.
The Steelers’ defense finished 10th overall in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. While that stat may be misleading based on how the season started, the way they finished down the stretch is a testament to how good the unit can be when the entire team is hitting on all cylinders. Yes, the schedule lightened up the second half of the year, but the defense put the clamps down, which allowed the offense to find its footing. The end result was a 7-2 record to end the back half of the season. They even kept Mike Tomlin’s streak of never having a losing season intact.
The defense found itself on the field a tremendous amount of time while the offense sputtered along in the first half of the year. There is no better example of this than the very first game of the year. The high-powered Bengals offense was on the field for over 43 minutes, compared to the Steelers 26. Usually this spells doom for the opposing defense. The Steelers’, however, stood tall, forcing five turnovers and notching seven sacks. Three of those quarterback knockdowns came courtesy of breakout star Alex Highsmith. Yet the offense could not consistently turn these opportunities into sustained drives, much less points. While the Steelers ended up winning in overtime, the writing was on the wall: The defense would have to carry the team early on.
Four weeks later, the bottom fell completely out as the Buffalo Bills marched up and down the field like they were doing wind sprints. This included an early 98-yard touchdown pass that broke the Steelers spirit that afternoon.
This unfortunate trend continued over the next month of the season.The theme at the time was the Steelers helplessly giving up too many chunk plays. With star outside linebacker T.J. Watt on the mend, the defense couldn’t generate enough pass rush to cover guys on the back end. To say it was a sinking ship in an insult to boats that briefly floated for a while.
Then a funny thing happened: The offense started to hold up its end of the bargain. They were able to sustain drives and give the defense the ample rest it needed. Watt also came back from an injury that keep him sidelined for most of the season. The schedule lightened up, and the defense got rolling.
It doesn’t hurt that the Steelrs have arguably the best free safety in football in Minkah Fitzpatrick. They also possess a top-10 defensive lineman in the ageless Cameron Hayward.y Somehow he continues to get better as he gets older. Alex Highsmith led the team with 14.5 sacks and announced to the NFL that he is ready to be a star. Then there is Watt, whose absence further illustrates his tremendous value.. The Steelers went 1-6 while he was out, giving up 25.3 points a game as well as 389.9 yards a contest. Horrible numbers.
This off-season brought upgrades all around. The secondary got a huge boost with the signing of future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson. Yes, his best days are behind him, but if he can give the Steelers the same production he brought to the Minnesota Vikings last year, that will supersede anything the Steelers got out of their cornerbacks. The draft brought immediate help in Joey Porter Jr., Keanu Burton, and Nick Herbig. All should see significant time this season. Other free-agent signings included safety Kanu Neal, D-lineman Breiden Fehoko, and linebacker Cole Holcomb. Holcomb is especially intriguing as the Steelers didn’t bring back any other middle linebackers.
That’s a lot of upgrades for a defense that was already pretty good. The schedule sets up nicely for the Steelers early on. That should work out well for the newcomers as they get acclimated.
Will it be enough? The AFC North is the toughest division in the NFL. The Steelers don’t have the luxury of blowing off games because the defense can’t stop teams they should be able to. They will be challenged enough against the likes of Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Deshaun Watson – not once, but twice each. With that being said, if they stay healthy, the Steelers again have a defensive unit that can finish as an elite group in the NFL.
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