The Pittsburgh Steelers have been carried by their defense for the last handful of years. TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward have consistently been some of the best defenders in the league, and Pittsburgh added to that group of explosive defensive weapons during the 2024 offseason. General Manager Omar Khan pursued Patrick Queen in free agency and also acquired Donte Jackson through a trade. Aadd in the second-year leap that is expected of Joey Porter Jr., Keeanu Benton, and Nick Herbig, and Pittsburgh's defensive unit should be elite.
USA Today
Steelers' Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt celebrate a turnover against the Baltimore Ravens.
Pittsburgh's defense typically keeps them in games, and Watt is usually a finalist for the NFL's AP Defensive Player of the Year Award. He is one of the best game-wreckers in the league, and with better coverage from Porter Jr. and Jackson in 2024, Watt and the front seven should be able to feast. Sports media personality, Bill Simmons, was discussing the Steelers on a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, where he shared his high expectations of Pittsburgh's defense.
"I think their defense is going to be the best defense in either conference. I try to talk myself out of it because their schedule is just horrifying. Just a gauntlet they have from Week 11 and on. This is going to be a team that just wants to win 16-13, 19-17, 17-10. That's who they are. They're the Browns from last year."
Obviously, the Cleveland Browns have a very impressive defense of their own that is led by Myles Garrett. It's their strongest unit, and it usually is the reason they are able to win games. This will be the case for the Steelers in 2024. The offense isn't likely going to explode, but it will run the ball well and eat up the clock. This should open up a path for the Steelers to get a lot of narrow victories where the defense holds the opponent to a small amount points.
Getty Images
Steelers' Mike Tomlin (right) shakes hands with Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (left) after a game.
Pittsburgh will need their defense to stay healthy and perform well, especially at the end of the regular season. If Pittsburgh wants to have any chance of making the playoffs, they need to find a way to finish the regular season on a high note, It won't be easy, as they play all six of their divisional games from Week 11 and on and also take on the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
There is a lot of high-octane offenses they will be taking on, including the Eagles and Chiefs, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. If Pittsburgh can find a way to navigate through those eight games with an even or winning record, they should be ready to make a decent run in the playoffs. It is a daunting stretch, but Pittsburgh will have the appropriate defense to carry them to victory in some of these tougher matchups.
Steelers' Defense Has High Expectations In 2024
Pittsburgh has all of the tools to succeed on defense in 2024. They have one of the best pass-rushing duos in the entire league with Watt and Alex Highsmith, and then Herbig coming off of the bench right behind them. Watt may also be rushing the passer with the best coverage behind him that he has had in his entire career. Fitzpatrick is looking to have a bounce back year, and DeShon Elliott and Jackson are two new additions that should be considered upgrades.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' newly added cornerback, Donte Jackson (26).
Khan also used one of his third round picks wisely and selected Payton Wilson. He won't start at linebacker, but he should be on the field a decent amount on passing downs and he has already shown he can make an impact. The biggest challenge on the defensive side of the ball will be staying healthy. If Pittsburgh can do that, they should be set up for success.
What do you think about Simmons' prediction? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
