The Pittsburgh Steelers lost starting strong safety DeShon Elliott during their Week 1 game against the New York Jets. While the Steelers managed to pull out a 34-32 victory, the injury to Elliott was far from ideal. He is expected to miss at least a couple of games, which prompted Pittsburgh to bring in veteran safety Jabrill Peppers. With a quick turnaround before facing the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, Peppers may find himself taking live defensive reps sooner than expected.
Boston Globe Images / Terry Sullivan
Former New England Patriots strong safety Jabrill Peppers flexes his muscles after a big time road win in the 2024 NFL season.
Many Steelers fans are curious to see how quickly Peppers will be integrated into the defense. Known for his physical style and versatility, he brings a different dynamic to the secondary. The Steelers have shown a willingness to trust new veteran additions early when needed, and with Elliott sidelined, the opportunity is there for Peppers to carve out a role immediately. They have also shown a delay in playing certain new players.
On Friday, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo provided some insight into how the team plans to use Peppers right away on 93.7 The Fan. While he may not take on a full workload right away, Peppers is expected to contribute situationally and rotate in as part of Pittsburgh’s defensive packages. His ability to play both in the box and in coverage gives the Steelers some flexibility as they look to rebound from a shaky defensive performance in Week 1.
"After only five days? I don't get the sense that they're gonna rush him into the lineup at all," Fittipaldo said Friday morning on 93.7 The Fan. "He does play special teams, so I can certainly see him getting a hat. I could see him maybe get out there for a few plays. But a Steelers team that's had some issues with communication in the past, especially in the back end, I would think they would wanna make sure Peppers is up to speed with the defense before they throw him out there."
At the end of the 2024 season, the Steelers’ defense struggled badly to stop the leaks. It reached a point where players were openly saying that others weren’t doing their jobs.
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Former New England Patriots strong safety Jabrill Peppers smiles during practice.
A lack of communication was a clear issue, and that’s exactly why Fittipaldo doesn’t expect to see much of Peppers in the defense during Week 2.
"Definitely special teams," Fittipaldo said. "Think he'll get a hat for that reason."
Fittipaldo believes Mike Tomlin and the Steelers will put Peppers on the field in Week 2, but his role will likely begin on special teams as he continues to learn the defensive playbook. The real question is when the Steelers will fully trust him on defense and how they plan to utilize his skill set. For now, his veteran presence provides valuable depth and stability to the safety room, giving Pittsburgh a boost while they wait for Elliott’s return.
Steelers' Defense Looking To Redeem Themselves In Week 2
In Week 1 against the Jets, the Steelers’ highly paid defense didn’t deliver its best performance. While they came to life when it mattered most, stopping New York’s final drive to secure the win, the unit is far too talented to allow 394 total yards of offense.
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Pittsburgh Steelers DBs Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay during their debuts against the New York Jets in 2025.
With the Seahawks coming to Acrisure Stadium in Week 2, the defense will be focused on redeeming itself and proving it can play up to its potential. Jalen Ramsey saved the day in Week 1, but if the Steelers want to get to 2-0 they will need a better defensive effort from top to bottom.
When do you expect the Steelers to unleash Jabrill Peppers during the 2025 season? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.
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