The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Pittsburgh Steelers Defense
The Steelers did a good job slowing down running backs last season, allowing 4.1 yards per carry to the position (8th) and forcing a negative run on 19.9% of RB runs (8th).
They finished third in yards allowed after contact per carry to running backs (2.7).
Larry Ogunjobi left in free agency, but the rest of the core group is back for another season.
Cameron Heyward will turn 36 in May, but he has not shown any signs of slowing down, earning his fourth All-Pro nod in 2024.
On the other end of the age curve, 2023 second-round pick Keeanu Benton played the second-most snaps along the line last year, and the Steelers added first rounder Derrick Harmon to the mix in the draft.
Harmon projects as a perfect long-term replacement for Heyward.
Pittsburgh’s pass rush was middle of the pack in 2024, finishing 14th in pressure rate (35.1%) and 16th with 40 sacks.
Not much needs to be said about T.J. Watt.
He logged 11.5 sacks last season, his sixth season with at least that many quarterback takedowns.
The only question for Watt is contract related, with the star rusher heading into the final year of his deal.
Alex Highsmith only played 11 games last season because of two separate injuries, but he finished with 6 sacks and a top-tier 17.5% pressure rate.
Nick Herbig picked up the slack behind Highsmith, getting 5.5 sacks of his own with a 12.8% pressure rate.
Pittsburgh also got good value with Jack Sawyer in the fourth round.
Acquired last offseason, Patrick Queen immediately stepped in as the primary option at linebacker, playing a defense-leading 1,090 snaps.
A third-round pick last year, Payton Wilson shared snaps with Elandon Roberts, who left in free agency.
Wilson will likely be asked to do more as a sophomore after excelling in coverage as a rookie.
The Steelers allowed 7.1 yards per pass attempt in 2024 (20th) but did a good job forcing turnovers and preventing touchdowns.
Pittsburgh ranked ninth in touchdown rate allowed (4.0%) and third with 17 interceptions.
Joey Porter Jr. struggled a bit in his second season, allowing 8 yards per target, but he still has allowed just 1 touchdown in his coverage and a 77.4 quarterback rating through two seasons.
Donte Jackson and Cam Sutton are gone, but the Steelers made a splash by adding Darius Slay in free agency and trading for Jalen Ramsey in June.
Both Slay and Ramsey are nearing the end of their careers, but if they play up to their talent level, the Steelers will have one of the best starting corner groups in the league.
It was somewhat surprising the Steelers added Juan Thornhill in free agency given their strength at safety, but Minkah Fitzpatrick leaving as part of the Rasmey trade opened up a spot for Thornhill to start.
The other starting spot at safety will go to DeShon Elliott, who consistently made plays in the running game last season, ranking second among qualified defensive backs in tackle rate on running plays and ninth with 8 run stuffs.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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