Steelers' Aaron Smith Was a Key Part Of Undeniable Benchmark That Steelers Must Meet In 2023 To Contend

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some outstanding defensive linemen since Chuck Noll tapped Joe Greene as his first draft pick. The tradition has continued over the years from Greene all the way to Cam Heyward. The basis for all the great Pittsburgh defenses over the years has been superior defensive line play and the Steelers are currently searching for the heir apparent to Heyward.

The Steelers’ first great defense that produced four Super Bowl Championships in the 1970's was anchored by the Steel Curtain. It has become a nickname synonymous with the whole defense but it originally referred to the defensive line and LC Greenwood, Greene, Ernie Holmes, and Dwight White. The group produced multiple championships, and Greene and Greenwood made the Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 1970's.

Steelers' Casey Hampton Was An Important Factor In Keeping The Team Loose

Greene was a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but in an egregious oversight, Greenwood is not. In fact, since the merger, only seven Steelers defensive linemen have made the Pro Bowl. Greenwood, Greene, White, Heyward, Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, and Aaron Smith. As the Steel Curtain faded and Pittsburgh switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 the roles of defensive linemen changed. The Steelers produced very good defenses after the Steel Curtain but for 25 years they did not win another Super Bowl.

In 1999 the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Smith from Northern Colorado in the fourth round. Smith was not a heralded prospect coming into the NFL and if the Steelers or the NFL would have known what a key role he would play for Pittsburgh over the next decade, he would not have slipped to the fourth round. Smith only made one Pro Bowl in Ben Roethlisberger’s rookie season, but he would be a key component on two Super Bowl championship teams and his injury is a big reason it was not three.

Smith started slowly in 1999, only playing in six games for the Steelers, but then was the starting left defensive end for seven consecutive seasons. He lost the last five games of 2007 due to injury, but returned in 2008 for another Super Bowl championship season playing in all 16 games. It was his last full season in the NFL as he lost the majority of his last three seasons to injury, only playing 15 games over 3 seasons before retiring in August of 2012.

The Steelers' defensive line of Smith, Hampton, and Keisel played together for 10 seasons starting in 2002. Keisel played in all 16 games providing quality depth on the 2005 Super Championship team and they were the starting unit until Smith started losing significant time due to injury in 2009. The trio was a nightmare to run against and the Steelers’ defense led them to three Super Bowls in five seasons. Hampton was the most decorated member of the defensive line, but Smith was arguably the most valuable.

Smith was a surprisingly effective rusher in Dick Lebeau’s 3-4 scheme. He managed 44 sacks over 13 seasons but essentially 42 sacks in nine seasons. If he had been healthy even in one of the last three seasons of his career, he would likely have finished with over 50 sacks. It was not flashy, but Smith produced eight sacks twice in his career in a scheme that did not expect him to get to the quarterback.

Lebeau’s defensive ends were meant to occupy the guards and tackles so pass rushers like Joey Porter, Lamar Woodley, and James Harrison could get home. Smith provided all of them with an opportunity to get double-digit sacks when they were playing together. The unsung defensive lineman was a huge component of the Steelers' pass rush.

Smith was only recognized with one Pro Bowl appearance in his career, but was not completely overlooked. When Sports Illustrated named their All-Decade Team of the 2000's, they selected the Pittsburgh defensive end despite more glamorous options like. He played most of his career in the shadow of the outside linebackers he was making look like All-Pro performers, but Sports Illustrated recognized his greatness. 

"He's the upset pick of the team. But the mostly anonymous body of work over the decade makes the 1999 fourth-round pick a worthy choice. The Steelers were the top-rated defense three times in the last half of the decade, and the 6-5, 298-pound Smith's ability to shed blocks as a 3-4 defensive end and stop the run was a vital part of their success."

It was his job to be a cog in the Steelers' defense, but it is worth asking if he was the transmission. Smith was too quiet and unselfish to be called the engine. The transmission isn’t a problem until you need to replace it. When it breaks, you aren’t going anywhere. A decade later, the Steelers have not found another Pro Bowl-caliber defensive lineman to play with Heyward. The Steelers haven’t gone anywhere near the Super Bowl since Smith retired. Maybe it isn’t a coincidence.

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Do you think that the Steelers can find a second Pro Bowler to pair with Heyward this season? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.