Steelers' DeShon Elliott Confident Chemistry Is Growing In Revamped Secondary

The Pittsburgh Steelers struck gold with their 2024 offseason signing of safety DeShon Elliott. He came to the Steel City under the radar, but in 2024, he dominated on the field and quickly became one of the team’s most reliable and impactful defenders. Elliott’s performance was so strong that the Steelers rewarded him with a contract extension ahead of the 2025 campaign, locking in a player who has become a cornerstone of the defense. His presence brings leadership, physicality, and versatility to a unit that is expected to be one of the NFL’s best this year.

Elliott was not just a playmaker. He was one of the most vocal leaders on the team and made headlines with his comments near the end of the 2024 season. He expressed frustration with breakdowns in the secondary and suggested that not everyone on defense was doing his job. Elliott's willingness to speak out showed the kind of accountability and high standards he brings to the locker room, and it made it clear that he expects excellence from himself and everyone around him.

Now, heading into 2025 with a new-look secondary around him, Elliott is encouraged by the progress he sees. After Saturday’s training camp practice, he spoke with the media about the early chemistry forming within the group. He said communication is improving, players are trusting each other, and the foundation is being built for what could become one of the strongest defensive backfields in the league.

"We are decent, but we aren’t there yet," Elliott said. "We are making plays, we have started communicating and have lots of new faces in the secondary. Those guys are trying to find their place on our team. I think they are doing a good job of communicating just one day at a time."

The Steelers’ secondary looks vastly different heading into the 2025 season compared to how it finished in 2024. With several new faces in the mix, the group is still working to build chemistry during training camp as they prepare for the challenges of a new year. 

Elliott believes it will take a few more weeks for everything to fully come together, but he remains highly confident in the potential of this retooled unit.

"It is day two or day three," Elliott said. "Give us another month and I think we will be right on. We have a lot of talent."

When Omar Khan made the decision to trade away safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, it signaled just how much confidence the Steelers’ front office had in Elliott and new addition Juan Thornhill. Elliott emerged as a key leader in 2024, and Thornhill brings experience and versatility to the back end. 

The Steelers also have high expectations for Joey Porter Jr., who is now poised to establish himself as one of the league’s premier cornerbacks.

Steelers' Secondary Must Gel Quickly

Pittsburgh added veteran cornerback Darius Slay during the offseason to provide leadership and depth. At 34 years old, Slay is eager to mentor Porter while also believing he can still contribute at a high level on the outside. His experience and savvy are valuable assets for a team looking to solidify its pass defense. The Steelers also made a major splash by trading for Jalen Ramsey, who offers rare versatility and can play multiple roles across the secondary depending on the matchup.

With these additions, the Steelers secondary has the potential to be one of the strongest in the NFL. However, after the communication breakdowns and frustrations that plagued the end of the 2024 season, building chemistry remains a top priority. The talent is there, but the unit must come together quickly to avoid the same pitfalls as last year.

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