The Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 are going to be highly dependent on their defense. The offense should improve with a year of experience under Kenny Pickett’s belt. The team has spent significant draft capital and money in free agency to build the offensive line. They want to become a power-running, ball-control offense. That style only works if the defense is getting consistent stops week in and week out.
3 and Out Podcast The Volume YouTube Channel
Steelers' Cam Heyward joins John Middlekauff on 3 AND OUT podcast.
The Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward joined the 3 AND OUT podcast with John Middlekauff on The Volume YouTube channel. The former Philadelphia Eagles scout turned podcaster asked Heyward what the ceiling for the defense is in 2023.
“What did [Michael] Jordan say, the ceiling is the roof,” Heyward responded. “I think for us, it’s just about answering that call every single week. Do we have the talent and the guys to do it, yes. I don’t think the best defense is crowned after one week.”
Steelers Defense Demonstrates Elite Ability In Week 1 Victory Against The Cincinnati Bengals
Last season the Steelers' defense was magnificent on opening day against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. The offense struggled, but Minkah Fitzpatrick scored a touchdown on an interception to help the Steelers build a lead. When TJ Watt was lost to injury late in the game, Fitzpatrick turned the remaining portion of the game into a personal vendetta. The defense delivered a hard-fought 23-20 victory, but without Watt were at best average until he returned to the field.
Photo Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick races to the endzone for a pick-six in the Week 1 victory over the Bengals in 2022.
“To be the best defense in our league, you need a crown on your head that is saying you’re the Super Bowl champion. To do that you have to do it every week. We can’t take weeks off. We can’t have those blunders where a running back had some yards, it’s got to be consistently our goal to dominate on defense,” Heyward added.
The 2008 Steelers’ defense was the last truly great championship defense in Pittsburgh. They had two Defensive Players of the Year and multiple Pro Bowlers that dominated the NFL. Heyward joined the team after the Steelers lost the Super Bowl in early 2011 to the Green Bay Packers and has seen very little playoff success during his career. This year could be different, and he knows it.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacking duo, Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt.
“We have the guys to do it,” Heyward repeated. "We have Minkah on the back end. Our inside linebackers, our corners with Pat P [Peterson]. Our outside linebackers Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt, myself [and] Larry Ogunjobi have to lead the crew. We have leaders at every spot.”
It is hard to determine what a great NFL defense would look like in 2023. If Heyward and the Steelers are hoping to win games 21-17, it is probably pie in the sky. The NFL has tilted the game in favor of the offense and some games will devolve into a shootout. The leadership on defense in the modern game is more about resiliency. It isn’t a question of what you are going to do when you give up yardage and points, it is how you are going to limit opportunities for the opposing offense.
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Steelers' TJ Watt and Cam Heyward celebrate.
The Steelers’ ferocious pass rush is a good start, and it should return to the top of the league with a healthy Watt in the lineup. Omar Khan has invested in taller physical cornerbacks that should thrive in press coverage. Pittsburgh seems to be banking on extra time to beat press coverage to get the pass rush home. Tighter coverage should lead to more turnovers, but could also result in occasionally being beaten deep for cheap touchdowns.
Heyward has never played in an AFC Championship game and has only been part of one playoff victory in his career. The multi-time Pro Bowl selection knows that greatness in Pittsburgh is measured with trophies, and he desperately wants to deliver one before he hangs up his pads for good. Heyward has one of the highest motors in the history of the organization, the only question left to answer is if it has enough horsepower to propel the Steelers to a Super Bowl.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Will Heyward find a way to deliver in the postseason for the black and gold? Please comment below, or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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