The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has to be better in the 2025 season. During the 2024 campaign, the unit struggled down the stretch to truly stop the Super Bowl contending teams Pittsburgh faced. While the defensive front had its moments, issues in the secondary and missed assignments in coverage cost them key games late in the year. With the AFC loaded with elite quarterbacks and high-powered offenses, the Steelers know they must tighten things up on the back end to stay competitive.
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Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. looks on during a game against the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football.
Pittsburgh has placed a strong emphasis on fixing their run defense, but improving the secondary is just as important. One of the weakest spots in 2024 was the nickelback position, where consistency and playmaking were hard to come by. Beanie Bishop Jr. is currently slated to be the starter at nickel, and the Steelers are hoping he can build off his rookie season. Still, the coaching staff wants real competition to push him and raise the level of play in the secondary.
That competition is already heating up during Organized Team Activities (OTAs), where seventh-round rookie Donte Kent has turned heads. Kent has shown quick instincts and solid technique, making it clear that he plans to compete for a meaningful role right away. Bishop spoke with Bo Marchionte of College2Pro.com about the Kent pick and how it impacts him.
"They always bringing guys in," Bishop said. "That pick, he’s here to take my spot. So, it’s not really my spot. It’s my spot right now. You just gotta keep working, keep that competitive edge."
The battle between Kent and Bishop for the nickelback spot is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing position battles this offseason. Whoever wins the job will have a critical role in helping solidify a secondary that must improve in 2025.
CMU Athletics / Mac Mayhew
Steelers CB Donte Kent during his days with CMU.
Kent has already embraced the challenge of proving himself as a seventh-round pick fighting for a key role in the Steelers' secondary. Despite entering the league with limited expectations from the outside, Kent made it clear during OTAs that he is not backing down from competition. He spoke confidently about his mindset, saying he approaches every rep like a starter and fully believes he belongs on the field.
"I just have a dawg mentality," Kent said. "That ball is my ball. My mindset is I’m going to go make a play on the football every pass thrown my way."
Kent understands that most seventh-round picks are overlooked, but he refuses to let that define him. He is focused on earning respect through his effort, preparation, and consistency.
His confidence comes from the work he puts in every day and the belief that he can compete with anyone on the field. He is not interested in where he was drafted, only in where he is headed.
Steelers Continue To Find Value In Sneaky CB Prospects
It’s always exciting for the Steelers when they uncover talent in the later rounds of the draft, and Kent could be their latest find. In 2023, they took a chance on Cory Trice Jr. in the seventh round. While injuries caused him to fall in the draft, he showed real promise when healthy and earned the confidence of the coaching staff.
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Steelers' Cory Trice Jr. runs with the football after takeaway.
Now there’s a chance Kent is another hidden gem. He’s confident, talented, and already making noise during OTAs as he battles for the nickelback job. The Steelers are looking to solidify that spot, and Kent has become a player to watch as he pushes for playing time. His early performance suggests he has the potential to be more than just a depth piece.
Bishop won’t give up the job easily. He had some strong moments in 2024 and, as an undrafted free agent, outperformed expectations. He’s looking to build on that success and hold onto the starting role. With both Bishop and Kent competing at a high level, the Steelers could have a promising battle that elevates the secondary heading into 2025.
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