"That's A Problem": Steelers' Questionable Defensive Decision Drawing Criticism

The Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to play some pretty good defense almost midway through the 2026 season. Sitting at 5-2 as a team, a big Week 8 matchup awaits versus the Cleveland Browns. The winner will be at the top of the AFC North. Both offenses have been inconsistent throughout the campaign, so the other side of the ball might be what decides the contest when the clock strikes zero. Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham will have to have a strong game plan if he wants his unit to continue playing at a high level.

There have been a couple of nice surprises on the defensive side for the Steelers. Patrick Queen is playing some of his best football since joining the team in 2024, and rookies are stepping up all over the place. Robert Spears-Jennings, Gabriel Rubio and Daylen Everette have all carved out roles for themselves. The arrivals of that trio might be affecting someone else, however.

Spears-Jennings was forced into the lineup due to DeShon Elliott's stint on Injured Reserve (IR). The first-year safety has been playing well, and continued to get time despite the return of the veteran. One insider is actually flagging this reality as concerning. Elliott can be a legitimate difference-maker if given the opportunity, but the Steelers seem inclined to ride the hot hand, so to speak.

Mark Kaboly put together some thoughts on the state of Pittsburgh's roster after seven weeks. He explained that while having a young defender play so well is great, the coaches can't lose sight of what else they have at their disposal.

"I understand that the Steelers want to continue the maturation process of Robert Spears-Jennings. But if that comes at the expense of taking snaps away from DeShon Elliott, then that’s a problem," Kaboly wrote. "Elliott returned to the game last week in Paris for the first time since tearing the hamstring off his left knee 53 weeks ago, but he played only 19 snaps (33%). With the Saints abandoning the run early, Elliott wasn’t needed as much as he will be needed this week."

Elliott is a hard-hitting and an experienced player who should be on the field. It's possible that Pittsburgh is slowly working him back in because of his long absence. With that said, playing time in future weeks could cause concern, as Kaboly noted.

The beat writer made a very clear statement about what he expects versus Cleveland. Elliott needs to be a focal point. It would be wrong if the Steelers did anything else.

"Elliott should, and needs to play every snap possible against the Browns, regardless of what the team thinks of Spears-Jennings," Kaboly noted. "Elliott is a difference-maker and adds a different layer of play when he’s in. Play the man."

These are stern yet notable comments from someone who follows the team intently. The Steelers might have found a steal in Spears-Jennings, but as long as Elliott is on the roster, there is no reason to take snaps away from him. 

Pittsburgh didn't pay the veteran back in 2025 to have him give way to a much younger teammate. However, a new coaching staff is in town, which could be one of the reasons why there have been some questions about the usage in the backend of the defense.

Steelers Simply Don't Have To Rush Elliott Back

While activating someone off of IR typically means that player is ready to go with no limitations, a second stint usually leads to that individual's season being over. If Spears-Jennings has earned the right to help the defense, then it's better to work him in so Elliott doesn't suffer any kind of setback. 

Regardless, fans and analysts alike are starting to call on the Steelers to set the rookie aside for a more experienced option. The message is pretty simple: Elliott is a defensive leader who can make a difference at any moment; it doesn't make sense to have him on the sideline when he is healthy.

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