Massive Mistake By Packers Could Give Steelers A Once Unlikely Defensive Reunion

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has been rather busy recently. As the legal tampering window opened on March 9th, Khan made some rather big moves. He started the day off trading for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. including a late-round pick swap. He also inked Pittman to a three-year, $59 million extension. Khan didn't stop there as he signed the likes of Jamel Dean, who was arguably the top cornerback on the market, and running back Rico Dowdle, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, as well. Obviously, there are still more moves to be made, but this is a phenomenal start. 

An area that could still use some work in Pittsburgh is the secondary, specifically slot cornerback. The Steelers are more than set on the outside now, but the inside corner position doesn't have the same luxury. As it currently stands, the spot is between Jalen Ramsey and Brandin Echols. Ramsey will seemingly be the starting free safety in 2026, especially after the way he performed there in 2025. Echols in 2025 performed admirably, but still struggled at times against better competition. Echols played both inside and outside with the New York Jets, as he has the versatility. He is likely best suited as a depth piece however, rather than a full-time starter. 

Luckily for the Steelers, a starter at the slot cornerback spot just became available. NFL Insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Green Bay Packers are releasing cornerback Nate Hobbs. Hobbs is a former fifth-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. After a run of solid play, he inked a nice payday with the Packers, signing a four-year, $48 million deal. Hobbs had a very underwhelming year with the Packers in 2025, appearing in only 11 games and starting five. Green Bay decided to release him after just a season.

Hobbs already has connections to Pittsburgh. He played under Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham in Las Vegas. Hobbs was a solid player in Graham's defense and in his last season under Graham, he allowed a passer rating of 87.2. This season in Green Bay, it was 111.1, so it's easy to see why the Packers decided to move on. Now, with Hobbs in need of a new home and the Steelers in need of a slot corner, this feels like an easy match for both parties. 

The Steelers are building a rock-solid secondary, and the Dean signing solidifies that. They now have one of the best outside corner duos in the NFL on paper that includes Joey Porter Jr. Now they need someone on the inside, and Hobbs can be just that. They have the star power now, so Hobbs won't have to be the feature player in the secondary, like he was with the Raiders. 

Steelers Can Build Something Special On Defense

The Steelers' defense in 2025 was super inconsistent to put it nicely. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said it himself: they were either one of the best defenses, or a bottom-five defense. There was always a struggle somewhere, including the run defense not holding up, the secondary busting coverages, or the inside linebackers getting picked on. With the moves they are currently making and a new scheme under Graham, the Steelers' defense could return to elite status. 

Graham put up average numbers despite less-than-average talent in recent years before coming to Pittsburgh. Give Graham his slot corner of the past few seasons, paired with the talent already established in the Steel City, and there's no telling where this could end up. The Steelers still need safety depth, but there is an opportunity in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, whether that means moving up for Ohio State star Caleb Downs, or selecting Emmanuel McNeil-Warren out of Toledo. Khan will have the opportunities; he just needs to capitalize now. 

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