The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding Organized Team Activities this week with new head coach Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff as they prepare for the 2026 season. Following the first day of these events, several members of the team spoke during media availability and provided some insight into things that have been seen with the new coaching staff. McCarthy hired Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham to the same position, as he comes over from the Las Vegas Raiders for his first year on the sidelines in the Steel City. One player he will oversee made some comments as to where he has room to improve in 2026.
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Steelers' new DC Patrick Graham during his time with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Steelers' promising inside linebacker Payton Wilson was asked directly on Monday about where he could improve in the 2026 season. His answer gave some insight as to how he feels he was a bit of a liability at times to veteran linebacker Patrick Queen during the 2025 season. Wilson appears like he is primed and ready to step up and take on more of a leadership role during his third season in the NFL.
"Becoming more vocal," Wilson said. "I was putting a lot on his plate, with him making pretty much every call. If he went down or something, obviously I made them, but him having to make the calls, I don't want to take that role from him [by] any means, but I want to be able to help him. If he's super exhausted, like he normally is, 'cause he is playing every snap, just being able to help him with those things and my understanding of what offenses are trying to do, rather than just memorization of my position and scheme."
Wilson played pretty well in his role in 2025, having 126 combined tackles, six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. To go along with that, he had two sacks and an interception, which he returned for 17 yards. These words from a guy entering just his third year in the league are extremely encouraging. Wilson seems poised to make an impact not just with his play, but also with his voice while on the field.
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Steelers' Patrick Queen celebrates with Payton Wilson during a win over the Miami Dolphins at home during the 2025 season.
Queen also had a solid season in 2025, in which he had 120 tackles, along with eight tackles for loss. He also had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Now, it appears his teammate wants to take some of that vocal leadership off his plate to try and complement one another on the field in 2026.
Steelers' Defensive Leadership Is Showing On And Off The Field Ahead Of 2026 Season
The leadership in Pittsburgh is really starting to show under McCarthy's new staff ahead of 2026. The same is also true of the players that are on his roster ahead of his inaugural season in the Steel City. It is unclear what sparked Wilson's comments, but oftentimes when the Steelers' defense did break down in 2025, it appeared to be due to poor communication.
It is possible this inspiration to be more of a vocal leader in 2026 from Wilson may help to cut down on the frequency of defensive breakdowns for the 2026 season. If there were ever a coach to learn leadership under, it would be Graham. In 2023, his leadership with the Raiders had them jump to a top-ten scoring defense in the NFL. He also was able to lead them to that benchmark with fewer resources and talent than he has currently in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham during an interview with Missi Matthews in 2026.
Their defense does have a lot of talent on it, so Graham taking over an organization with more than what he is used to could help him really flourish as the defensive coordinator. It could also help the team get back to being the old school style of smash-mouth, lockdown defensive unit. One thing is clear following Wilson's comments, leadership is starting to really shine through in the Steel City under this new staff.
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