Steelers' DeShon Elliott Return Could Soon Spark A Massive Jaquan Brisker Turnaround

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be getting much more than one defensive starter back when DeShon Elliott finally returns to the lineup. According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, Elliott's presence could completely change the way Jaquan Brisker performs in Pittsburgh's secondary. It's an intriguing possibility for a defense searching for consistency at safety.

Brisker arrived in Pittsburgh this offseason with expectations that he would bring physicality, versatility and a fresh presence to the back end. Instead, his early performances have raised questions about whether the Steelers are getting the player they envisioned. Missed tackles and uneven play have made his first month more difficult than anticipated.

During Tuesday's episode of The Steelers Collective, Kaboly offered a different explanation for Brisker's uneven start. Rather than placing all the responsibility on the former Chicago Bears safety, Kaboly pointed toward the changing personnel beside him. He believes Elliott will make a significant difference.

"Let me tell you this, DeShon Elliott comes back, I think you're going to see a whole lot different version of Jaquan Brisker," Kaboly said. "I think it's a product of who's next to him, and what they're asking him to do might be out of his comfort zone right now."

That assessment shifts the conversation away from whether Brisker can play and toward how Pittsburgh is using him. The Steelers have been forced to shuffle their secondary while Elliott remains unavailable, leaving Brisker to adjust to different partners and responsibilities. Communication and trust are essential to preventing explosive plays.

Kaboly went further, explaining why he remains confident in Brisker's ability despite the disappointing early results. In his view, the safety needs stability beside him, not necessarily a complete overhaul of his own game. His answer suggests the pairing matters just as much as Brisker's individual talent.

"I think he's a very good safety, but I think he needs a sidekick next to him that you can trust," Kaboly said.

It's a revealing statement considering the personnel Pittsburgh has used in Elliott's absence. Veteran Rayshawn Jenkins and rookie Robert Spears-Jennings have both been part of the safety rotation, while Jalen Ramsey has also handled responsibilities on the back end. That constant movement has left Pittsburgh without the consistent pairing it hoped to establish entering the season.

Brisker still deserves accountability for his own missed tackles and coverage mistakes. Different teammates do not excuse every error, especially for a player with four years of NFL experience. However, Kaboly's point raises a fair question about whether Pittsburgh has been asking Brisker to compensate for uncertainty around him rather than letting him play to his strengths.

Steelers Will Likely See A Huge Jaquan Brisker Improvement With DeShon Elliott 

Elliott's potential return is especially interesting because the Steelers have already opened his practice window. That does not guarantee he will immediately return to game action, but it gives Pittsburgh a path toward restoring a key member of its secondary. For Brisker, that could mean finally working beside the veteran the coaching staff originally expected to have available.

Brisker is most effective when he can play aggressively, attack downhill and react without hesitation. Kaboly's argument suggests that having a trusted partner could free him to operate closer to that identity. Instead of worrying about the responsibilities of everyone around him, Brisker could focus on his own assignments and play faster.

There are encouraging signs that his season can still improve. Brisker recorded an interception against Atlanta in Week 1 and broke up two passes during Pittsburgh's 34-22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Those flashes show his ability to impact games hasn't disappeared.

The challenge for defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is finding the right balance once Elliott is ready. Both safeties bring physical styles, and their responsibilities will still need to complement one another. Simply getting Elliott back won't automatically erase missed tackles or communication problems, but it could give the coaching staff more freedom to define each player's role.

Pittsburgh has already invested considerable effort in reshaping its secondary. If Kaboly is correct, one of the biggest improvements might come without another roster move or dramatic scheme change. The Steelers could discover that Brisker's best football was waiting for the right teammate to return.

Will DeShon Elliott's return unlock a better version of Jaquan Brisker? Follow me on X @anthonyghalkias and let Steeler Nation know.

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