Steelers Adding DeShon Elliott Gives Pittsburgh 1 Element The Team Has Been Missing Out On

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been operating shorthanded in the secondary throughout the 2026 season. After expecting him on the field, they traded Joey Porter Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys, leaving the cornerback room without its best piece. They've also been without starting safety DeShon Elliott, who was placed on injured reserve (IR) after the preseason. Luckily for the team, Elliott is expected to return soon.

Since signing with Pittsburgh in the 2024 offseason, Elliott has been a staple in the secondary and quickly won fans over with his play. His willingness to work in the box and fearlessness against the run has been admirable. Despite previously playing for their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, Elliott became the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh defense until a 2025 injury kept him out of football for almost a full year.  

Since Elliott's injury, the Steelers' defense has struggled to tackle opposing ball carriers and has missed his presence greatly. The safety is a huge part of Pittsburgh's run defense and will bring back a key element the defense has been missing. Recently, team insider Nick Farabaugh told 93.7 The Fan what Elliott will bring to the Steelers' defense, and he mentioned a sure tackler, something the team doesn't currently have. 

"Tackling, I mean that's the biggest one," Farabaugh said. "It's so simple, but they need some sure tacklers on this football team. They don't have any right now, man; it's really been tough for that middle of the defense." 

The defense as a whole has struggled in the tackling department, but the linebackers and safeties have been eye-opening. The Steelers' defense arguably has only one true free safety, rookie seventh-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings, and he's arguably their best tackler in the back end. Elliott's return will help not only the safeties but also the inside linebackers. 

Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson have been exceptional in coverage, but leave more to be desired against the run. Neither player fits the run well and isn't the best tackler. Elliott's return will give the unit another physical presence in the box, helping Queen and Wilson finish their tackles. 

The Steelers will finally see their starting safety tandem, Elliott and Jaquan Brisker, take the field together for the first time. With Elliott out, Brisker has been asked to do a lot on defense, including tasks that don't fit his game. As a result, Brisker has struggled not only in coverage, but also in tackling. Now that Elliott is expected to return, Brisker will return to his original role and be able to focus on his game. 

Steelers' Safety Room Could Be A Solid One

One of Pittsburgh's weaknesses going into the offseason was the safety room. After the failed experiment of moving Jalen Ramsey to free safety, the Steelers needed help in the back end. General Manager Omar Khan didn't invest much in the room, aside from selecting Spears-Jennings in the seventh round. With how the rookie has turned out so far, the Steelers may have gotten lucky. 

The Steelers will have three safeties they can rely on, giving Patrick Graham more pieces to play with. Without Elliott, Graham hasn't been able to dive into his more exotic looks. With all three men on the field, he can deploy bigger bodies in the secondary and avoid mismatches when teams bring in heavier personnel. This can be especially effective against run-heavy teams and tight end-centric offenses. 

There weren't many expectations for Spears-Jennings coming into the season, but he's providing a steady presence deep in the field. While Brisker has struggled, Elliott's return should make his life a little easier and even reduce his snap count. The Steelers' safety room was once a glaring weakness, but it could become a strength soon. 

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