The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 campaign will be one that has many questions needing answers following another season without a playoff win. The 2025 year was filled with ups and downs, especially when the team won the AFC North division. However, it found itself in an all too familiar of a spot as it once again lost in the first round of the playoffs. Head Coach Mike McCarthy enters the picture for 2026 looking to change the narrative in the Steel City and deliver playoff success for the storied franchise. One area that must improve for that to happen is on the defensive side of the football.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy works with the team during organized team activities (OTAs).
Pittsburgh's defense finished 13th in run defense during the 2025 season. However, the passing defense saw many lapses, which contributed to the 29th overall finish in the league. Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham joins McCarthy's staff for his first year in the Steel City and has his work cut out for him. He did orchestrate an impressive turnaround with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, as the team finished ninth overall in scoring defense.
However, with the league's highest-paid defenses, the Black and Gold have underperformed in recent years. With that said, Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently wrote about one way the defense can improve when it comes to passing defense. He cites third-year linebacker Payton Wilson as a player under a microscope in 2026, but thinks there are some strong traits in his game that could lead to a breakout year for him.
“[Payton] Wilson has shown the traits to earn a two-down role in run support, but he must show improvement in pass coverage for a true breakout year,” Moton wrote. “Although Wilson stood out as a tackling machine, he struggled in coverage, allowing two touchdowns and a 104.7 passer rating. With Patrick Queen's inconsistencies as a cover defender, the Steelers need a reliable linebacker on obvious passing downs. Wilson's time on the field could be limited because of lapses in coverage.”
The presence in the running game is an encouraging sign for the former NC State linebacker. In fact, last season, he had 106 combined tackles as well as an interception for the Black and Gold in his second NFL campaign. One thing that could benefit him is the possibility of the team maximizing the talent on the field in the 2026 season with new packages on the defensive side of the ball likely.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson runs with the football during game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
Steelers' Recipe For Passing Defense Improvement In 2026
Pittsburgh has all the makings of a turnaround in its passing defense. It did a tremendous job of being proactive in free agency, adding to the secondary by signing free-agent cornerback Jamel Dean as well as safety Jaquan Brisker. However, given the capital invested in the defense, the players have to answer the bell in 2026 and improve measurably in year one for their new defensive coordinator.
Wilson will have plenty of opportunity given his ability to be a force in terms of tackling and run defense. One way he can positively impact the passing game is well is in pressure as well as coverage in open space. When it comes to that department, he produced two sacks for the Black and Gold in 2025 as well as six tackles for loss along with four quarterback hits.
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Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson warm up before a game for the Steelers against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland.
With Patrick Queen showing inconsistencies as defender in coverage, this will be a huge chance for Wilson to establish a name for himself for a franchise known for some historic defenses.
The front office also did a tremendous job to bring in more weapons for the offensive-minded McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers to improve that side of the football. If Wilson can become a breakout player rather than show the lapses in coverage Moton mentioned, 2026 could end up seeing greater accomplishments than an AFC North division title for the Steelers.
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