"We'll Absolutely Do It": Steelers Fans Finally Get Promising Update On Defensive Attack Moving Forward

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering their bye week in Week 5 of the 2025 season. This bye week is a little earlier than most teams would want, but it is warranted as the team traveled to Ireland in Week 4 and is also searching to regain some health on both sides of the ball. It seemed as though Pittsburgh finally found its groove during its Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings as the team played its most complete game of the 2025 season. It was a good game to build some momentum, and it was good to see the defense finally turn in a solid performance.

The defensive side of the ball was under a ton of scrutiny at the start of the 2025 season. The group began the year with two rough performances against the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks, with neither unit being considered a high-powered offense. This was especially disappointing when considering the amount of resources that have been poured into that side of the ball by the Steelers organization. The group played better as time went by, and the unit could be adding more of a special wrinkle according to Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, as he was asked about having all top three outside linebackers on the field at once for Pittsburgh.

"Those things are always week to week," Austin said. "You've got to see what you're going against and what's gonna give you the best chance to win. But if we have that opportunity to get those three guys out there when we get Alex [Highsmith] back, we'll absolutely do it."

The Steelers have what is probably the best outside linebacker group in all of football. TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith are two elite starters, while Nick Herbig backs both of them up, but would arguably be starting on many other teams. Jack Sawyer also fills out the room nicely as the fourth option. Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig are three of Pittsburgh's best players overall, and fans have been clamoring for them to be on the field together since the 2024 season.

Fans saw some of all three outside linebackers on the field together during Pittsburgh's Week 2 matchup with Seattle. It wasn't much as Highsmith got hurt later in the game, but there was a small taste. The question has always been how the three would lineup if they were all on the field together, and against the Seahawks, Watt and Highsmith lined up in their usual spots (Herbig played close to the line of scrimmage while lining up as an inside linebacker).

It will be interesting to see how often Pittsburgh is going to want to deploy a look like this once Highsmith gets back from his injury. There are certainly scenarios where it would benefit Pittsburgh, but there are also some spots where it could hurt. Ideally, all three players are not out there to defend a run, so it might be something that is seen only in obvious passing situations.

Steelers Have Health To Worry About When Deploying All Three OLBs At Once

Fans want to see all three outside linebackers on the field at the same time in pass rush situations, but the coaching staff has not had many opportunities to provide that scenario. Highsmith and Herbig have been banged up at different times over the last two years. Highsmith could only play in 11 games during the 2024 season, while Herbig played in 13. Highsmith is currently recovering from an ankle injury and Herbig has already missed one game in 2025. It is a priority to get all three players healthy before worrying about them getting on the field together.

Herbig has certainly earned more playing time so far in 2025. He has made big plays in every game for Pittsburgh, and there has even been some speculation about a potential Highsmith trade.

How often do you want to see all three outside linebackers on the field for Pittsburgh at the same time? Let us know in the comments below!

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