Steelers Given 2 Veteran Safety Names To Add Immediately

The Pittsburgh Steelers had many issues on defense in 2025. Plenty of them stemmed from poor scheme, coaching, and communication, but one of the position groups that was often lackluster on the unit was the safety group. With starter DeShon Elliott missing most of the season due to injury, the group, which already lacked depth, relied on Band-Aids before trading for Kyle Dugger and converting Jalen Ramsey to the position. While that helped a little, it was clear that it was an area that needed to be addressed in the offseason. 

The Steelers' front office didn't shy away from acquiring some new faces at safety, with the signings of Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage to go along with Elliott, but will that provide a huge boost compared to last year's group? Brisker is coming off a great year with the Chicago Bears and earned a relatively team-friendly deal with Pittsburgh. That is a one-year, $5.5 million contract. But between Brisker and Savage, who didn't see much of the field in 2025, and Elliott coming off a pretty intense injury, there might be more to be done.

The Steelers' brass is not afraid to add veterans, especially before training camp starts, to ensure depth at key positions and to provide competition. The lack of depth at safety could warrant the team signing a veteran, and Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski provided two names to give the Steelers an extra boost at the spot. These appeared in his "NFL To-Do List," where every team is given scenarios to improve their team in the offseason. 

"Pittsburgh lacks a true over-the-top defender. A Jimmie Ward or Xavier Woods could come into play," Sobleski wrote. 

Pittsburgh could use a veteran safety to give it some insurance. Elliott and Brisker, the projected starters, are known for their ability to play in the box; neither of the two excels in coverage. Adding a player who can make an impact in that area would be a positive thing for a defense that is looking to improve on its 2025 numbers. 

Ward, who didn't play in 2025, is a former first-round pick, playing nine years in San Francisco before a two-year stint with the Texans. He's great in coverage, registering 10 interceptions in his career, including three for touchdowns. He wouldn't start, but would fit the mold that's needed for a coverage safety in obvious passing situations. The other name being Woods, he's had a productive career with two 100+ tackle seasons in his nine years in the league. His 2024 season was one of his best, with 119 total tackles and three interceptions. He played with the Titans in 2025, where he only started 10 games. He'll look to bounce back in year 10. 

Do Either Of These Guys Make Sense For The Steelers?

While the Steelers realistically really do need a coverage guy at safety, it's all up to how the team feels getting closer to the year, and if they're willing to sign a veteran. Neither of these players would break the bank, and Woods has shown he can be a good player. Ward would be the riskier bet since he hasn't played since 2024, but Woods' stat sheet is something to get excited about. The front office isn't shy about adding vets, but the idea of the team adding at safety in general makes sense, even if it's not these two, specifically. 

It's unknown if Elliott will be one-hundred percent, with that risk in mind, adding there seems even smarter. Either way, the room needs to take a step forward in 2026, with many blown coverages last year. It's only up from here. The biggest question is which of the two safeties, Brisker or Elliott, could really handle coverage? The Steelers may be confident that either one can.

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