The Pittsburgh Steelers clearly have a lot of work to do defensively after they gave up 27 points to the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. This is the second straight week that they gave up 27 exactly, so there are some big issues with how they operate. On Thursday Night Football, the biggest problem was arguably tackling, as the team collectively missed so many opportunities to bring the ball carrier down, especially in that second quarter. That wasn't even a problem in the previous game, as Pittsburgh did not allow many yards after contact.
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Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen makes a tackle in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season.
It doesn't help that the secondary is officially low on depth. With Joey Porter Jr. officially gone and Jamel Dean being injured, the Steelers have very few options at outside cornerback. It's not like players behind Dean are bad, but it's a bad sign when you have to sign players off of other team's practice squads just to have any sort of depth when gameday rolls around.
The Steelers will have to rely on the youth to step up and make a difference. During his weekly McCarthy Monday press conference, Head Coach Mike McCarthy spoke glowingly about rookie cornerback Daylen Everette and how he has been forcing his coaches to allow him to play.
"He's been pushing for playing time," McCarthy said. "Clearly, as a defensive back, I think he's done some really good things in preseason, particularly back in Latrobe at the nickel, so we feel like he's ready to go. I noticed the conversation about the big play [to Denzel Boston]... that was not his play."
Everette was given adversity right off the bat, as he had to go up against DK Metcalf in some of his first practices, and the rookie reportedly held his own for the most part. That helped give the Steelers confidence that everything would be okay whenever he is on the field. So far, he hasn't played exceptionally well, but there are still signs that the third-round pick is growing promisingly into his role.
Everette has yet to miss a tackle so far in the 2026 season while also recording a pass defended against the Browns. While there are concerns about him in coverage, it seems like that would be more on the coaching, as the Steelers have opted to play more of a soft zone scheme, which makes it harder on the cornerbacks to lock down these receivers. More press man should help the team get a good look at the rookie.
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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Daylen Everette (23) celebrates breaking up a pass with teammates during the second quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.
Being pushed into versatility is also a challenge, as McCarthy brought up Everette getting some work in as the slot corner, but he hasn't been terrible in that role either. So far, there really are not many complaints about the rookie's game. Of course, there are things that he has to work on, but for a rookie that wasn't supposed to see a lot of real playing time in 2026, he has shown lots of promise.
Steelers' "Big Play" Forced A Benching At Another Position
McCarthy brought up the Browns connecting on a 60-yard pass to Denzel Boston in the second quarter, where Everette bumped the receiver before letting him go. Between the in-game analysis and the head coach's comments, it is very clear that safety Rayshawn Jenkins was supposed to help his cornerback over the top and didn't. Everyone but him was playing a simple Cover 2 Zone concept.
After that drive, Jenkins got benched in favor of rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings, who stepped up and made an immediate impact. He is also expected to see a lot more playing time in the coming weeks as the primary free safety in nickel packages. With more playing time together, Everette and Spears-Jennings may develop some great chemistry together to make sure plays like the one to Boston never happen again.
What do you think about McCarthy praising Everette after Week 4? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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