Steelers' DeShon Elliott Detailed His Grueling Path To Being A Star In Pittsburgh "I Really Wouldn't Be Here"

The Pittsburgh Steelers found an absolute bargain in free agency in 2024. The team signed DeShon Elliott to a two-year, $6 million contract to play free safety and be a perfect complement to Minkah Fitzpatrick. He quickly became a fan favorite because of his abilities to stop the run and defend the pass well. He had 108 tackles, six passes defended, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception. You can't ask for more from Elliott on the field than what he gave in his 15 games in 2024. 

However, that amazing season almost never happened. While talking with Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it started with the Texas Longhorns, where he wanted to quit football.

"I was working so hard during training camp, working so hard during the season, and then at one point I just broke, like 'fu*k this sh*t' — excuse my language — I’m about to focus on school, party, have fun, be with my friends, just be a college kid," Elliott explained.

As Batko mentioned later on, a coaching change happened shortly after Elliott had that conversation with his father, which made him decide to keep playing. He was eventually drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens, where he faced even more roadblocks that challenged his mental health and, this time, his physical health as well.

“I was hurt a lot,” Elliott said. “That was really hard on me. I felt like I was going through that alone. I felt like I had nobody in life.”

As Batko noted, Elliott missed his entire rookie season with a fractured forearm, then suffered a season-ending knee injury in his second year after playing just six games. Once again, he had to question if he really wanted to keep playing, but he kept on. After not receiving an extension, he bounced around the league and played for three teams in three seasons. 

Elliott made himself known as a tackling machine, as he had 96 in 2022 and 82 in 2023. He had solid seasons, but nothing that really made him stand out. In 2024 with Pittsburgh, he let the world know exactly who he is. He was all over the field, constantly tracking the ball no matter where it went. He had career bests in numerous statistical categories, including his first 100+ tackle campaign. 

Steelers Could Reward Elliott Even More

Elliott reflected on the past and what led him to signing with the Steelers in the first place. He is at peace with what happened, and he acknowledged the growth he made because of those tough times.

"When I was going through that, I felt like it was me and myself on this earth — like no one was ever around,” Elliott said. “Those were the loneliest moments. But I grew in that. Like a rose out of concrete, I really grew in that. It made me have some more self-awareness in who I wanted to be as a man, who I wanted to be as a person. And it really brought me here today, because without that, I really wouldn’t be here."

If Elliott can replicate what he did in 2024, the Steelers may be inclined to give him a long-term extension, which would be the first time he gets a second contract from any team. He's only 28 years old, and he likely has a handful of quality years left in him. A three-year deal would make a lot of sense for both parties involved, as the veteran safety finally found a team that feels like home to him. 

Even with all of Elliott's wild posts on social media, he is clearly much better mentally at this point in his life. He has the love for the game that he thought he lost almost a decade ago, and he has never played better football. It's safe to say that he will be wearing black and gold for more than just 2025, the last year of his current deal.

What do you think about Elliott's road to Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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