Breaking down my thoughts on the 2024 Steelers defense. Talking through breakout players, potential concerns and what makes this unit better than last year.
Another banger! One thing I’d like to see TA do is move Watt around the line, especially on 3rd downs and obvi passing sits. A 3 edge sub package would be very interesting
*The 3 OLB package will definitely be used on a consistent basis and I expect Watt to be the "Chess Piece" that moves to Off-Ball LB in the Under/Over front. I suspect that Herbig will get 25+ snaps a game subbing in for Watt & Highsmith but being used specifically in other ways*
This defense has the potential to be really special hopefully theres no significant injuries during the season. One injury could derail this defense 🙏 for a healthy season. 🖤💛💯
*What DB did not mention was the fact that the Steelers were #1 Red Zone team and had 8 Takeaways with only one other team with 5 Takeaways in the Red Zone. The Steelers also held QBs to the lowest Completion % and lowest QBR in the NFL*
Spot on DB as always and I haven't been this excited about our LBers since Farrior was on the team with Deebo. That position has always been the heart of our championship success and we're primed for another run. Dick Lebeau would be giddy to coach this group and I hope Austin can step up his game. Herbig and Wilson are impressive depth and should be utilized creatively. Khan took a lot of heat trading DJ for DJack but i liked the move as it's a huge upgrade in CB2 but also because DJ wasn't consistent enough in his catches 51 vs targets 86. This team reminds me of the mid 90's when we had dominant play makers at every level of the defense and they were always the stars of the show. Much like those years the offense was far less inspiring but when they played even average we could beat any team just because our defense was so scary good.
I’m more stoked for hard edged Steelers defense this year! Cam Sutton picks it off in Detroit and punts the ball into the crowd! I like that hyped attitude and swagger!
I actually don’t mind Kazee in the slot. I mean, it’s not great, but I don’t mind it and think he’s serviceable. He plays the ball well and is capable of making big plays.
i think the offense will find a real consistent enough offense at some point in the season that will finally help our defense stay fresh and get more rest and helping it become top5 bc of that
Great stuff as always. Cam might be our best run defender as a down-lineman. And that might be his forte from now until the end of his career. It's typical of an older defensive lineman, like you said... how much can we expect his pass rush to get back to.
*Cam is most definitely the best run defender considering he is one of the best ever vs Run game. Cam still has some juice but with the step Benton has taken, it makes the DLine one of the best in the NFL. DT Adams was always a raw developmental piece and he is finally starting to show what he really is. And "Hybrid Edge DE/DT" Leal is a great #4 type off the bench b/c Leal can play multiple positions. Leal versatility is his trait. I mention those 2 players along the DLine, along with LBs Herbig and Wilson b/c those 4 players are all "Bench Sub" players who would start on half of other franchises in the league*
That’s the big question. I honestly don’t think anyone knows for sure. I think a happy medium between the second half of 2022 and last year would make him valuable enough to keep his APY about the same as it is now. Idk if that’s what he’s looking for or not tho. I really just hope that there’s a resolution everyone is satisfied with.
How does a team that spends this much money on defense consistently rank in the bottom half of the league in defensive rankings? Tomlin can't even get his side of the ball right. The defense this year is gonna be amazing on paper, and yet they'll finish the year ranked around 22-24 in total defense. There will be a big injury within the first couple games of the season as usual. Guys like Highsmith will be totally average and inexplicably a non-factor; might have 1-3 big games all year while being totally absent the rest of the year. Minka will play in less than 55% of games this year as usual. TJ will miss time. The story of this defense is so predictable.
