Steelers' Isaiahh Loudermilk Has Personal Challenge For Himself In 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the 2024 offseason bringing in talented upgrades to positions all across the roster. There is still one area of concern that the Steelers have yet to make strides in truly addressing: the defensive line. The 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner, Cameron Heyward, is 35 years old and coming off a season in which he missed extensive time due to injury. Isaiahh Loudermilk, defensive end for the Steelers, understands how important the upcoming season is to both his progress and the defensive line as a whole.

Loudermilk, a 2021 fifth-round draft pick, came to the Steelers as someone who could eventually follow Heyward. Pittsburgh envisioned Loudermilk playing a major defensive role after trading up for him, but the grand hope hasn't worked out the way either side expected. However, despite a shakier start to his professional career than Loudermilk had planned, the 26-year-old defender is confident that he can still make a difference in an NFL defense.

“Everything’s kind of become a little bit more second nature in terms of playing, I can feel things and I can see things that I haven’t seen the last couple years, and I am able to get into [the play] quicker... But now, it’s Year 4. It’s time for me to kind of step up and not play with any hesitation, just kind of go out and play how I know I can play.”

With Heyward currently holding out of Pittsburgh's 2024 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) for a contract extension, the majority of his time has gone to the younger players on the defensive line. Keeanu Benton, the Steelers' 2023 second-round pick, emerged as someone to watch during his rookie campaign. Heyward's groin injury gave Benton the opportunity to showcase his skills, and nine starts later, he is poised to continue playing a big role.

Loudermilk watched as Benton stepped up in Heyward's absence, and rather than frustrating the defensive lineman, it showed that all someone needs is the chance and they can establish themselves. After three seasons without much impact on Pittsburgh's defense, Loudermilk is more aware than ever of the urgency that has ramped up as he goes into his fourth season.

“It is a contract year, but at the same time, I feel like I have challenged myself this offseason just to mentally regroup," Loudermilk said. "Physically, I have felt it the last couple years, but mentally it’s more about believing that I belong here – just being able to go out and play fast, I think having a couple years under my belt has definitely helped with that."

Loudermilk has two examples that were set during the 2023 campaign; one he should follow, the other he certainly shouldn't. Benton showed the way to capture the moment and make the most of the chance, while DeMarvin Leal underwhelmed consistently enough to be a healthy scratch more often than not. If Loudermilk wants to make a significant leap forward in 2024, he has to hit the ground running and do everything Benton did in 2023.

Steelers' Loudermilk Is Ready To Get Going

After a 2024 offseason defined by the Steelers upgrading the roster on both sides of the football, Loudermilk likely understands that his window is closing to prove his worth in Pittsburgh. Not only is it a contract season for the fourth-year player, but if Loudermilk doesn't step up and show he is irreplaceable, the Steelers could very well choose to find a solution in the 2025 NFL Draft. As the 2024 OTAs wind down and training camp awaits, Loudermilk is ready to do whatever it takes.

The Steelers have the highest-paid defense in the NFL, and with that come lofty expectations. With a brand new offense being fielded in 2024, Pittsburgh will rely on the defense to carry the team if Arthur Smith's approach takes some time to produce. Loudermilk will have his chance to show that the Steelers weren't wrong to make a trade to draft him; the question is whether the defensive lineman can rise to the task.

What role will Isaiah Loudermilk play in 2024? 

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