The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2026 season facing plenty of question marks, but the defensive back room has emerged as one of the team's most intriguing position groups. With Patrick Graham taking over the defense, there's growing optimism that a unit loaded with veteran talent can finally eliminate the explosive plays that have plagued Pittsburgh in recent years and become a true strength on the back end.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' cornerback Joey Porter Jr warms up prior to regular season finale against the Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026.
The Steelers invested heavily in reshaping their secondary this offseason. Joey Porter Jr. returns as the cornerstone at cornerback, while Asante Samuel Jr., Jalen Ramsey, and Jamel Dean bring proven experience to the outside. At safety, DeShon Elliott and Jaquan Brisker are expected to provide physicality and stability, while Daylen Everette adds another young piece with upside at CB. On paper, it's one of the deepest defensive back groups Pittsburgh has assembled in years.
That collection of talent has fueled plenty of excitement throughout the offseason, with many analysts believing the secondary could be one of the Steelers' biggest strengths entering 2026. If the group can quickly develop chemistry under Graham's system, Pittsburgh could field one of the NFL's more complete defenses and give its pass rush even more opportunities to thrive.
Still, not everyone is convinced the Steelers deserve that level of praise. Speaking on The Snap Count podcast with Charlie Batch on Wednesday, former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex said he views Pittsburgh's secondary as only the third-best in the AFC North.
"Now I am excited about the addition of [Jamel] Dean," Essex said. "I know Joey Porter Jr. is going to do what he does, and we don't know what we're going to do with Jalen Ramsey right now. He's penciled in at free safety, but I expect him to roll at nickel and dime. Who knows?"
His comments serve as a reminder that while the Steelers have assembled plenty of talent, they'll still have to prove it on the field before earning recognition as one of the league's elite defensive back units. The biggest concern isn't the amount of talent Pittsburgh possesses, but whether the group can stay healthy and quickly develop chemistry in Graham's new defensive system.
Until those questions are answered, skepticism from around the league is likely to remain. In this case, it comes directly from Essex.
"But we don't know how DeShon Elliott is going to bounce back from his injury," Essex said. "There are just too many unknowns, and that's why I give the Cleveland Browns the slight edge, and then the Bengals."
Essex brings up a fair point. On paper, the Steelers have one of the most talented secondaries they've assembled in years, but talent alone doesn't guarantee results. Pittsburgh knows what it has in Porter, and as long as a contract extension gets done, he'll remain the cornerstone of the unit for years to come. The additions of Brisker and Dean only add to the excitement surrounding the group.
Ramsey also showed last season that, even at 31 years old, he still has plenty left in the tank. Pittsburgh added proven veterans while continuing to develop younger pieces like Everette, whose emergence has given the team even more confidence in its depth. The Steelers also have quality options at safety, giving Graham flexibility as he builds his defense.
Steelers' Secondary Could Turn Into A Legit Strength
Still, Essex's concerns can't be dismissed. There are plenty of unknowns across the roster, not just in the secondary, as Mike McCarthy begins his first season leading the Steelers.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy works with the team during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in the 2026 offseason.
It's the organization's first head coaching change since Mike Tomlin was hired in 2007, making 2026 a season filled with both excitement and uncertainty. If this secondary lives up to its potential, though, it could quickly become one of Pittsburgh's biggest strengths.
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