The Pittsburgh Steelers are widely known for their strong defensive play, and the 2024 season was no different. Under the leadership of defensive coordinator **Teryl Austin**, the Steelers’ defense remained one of the more formidable units in the NFL. As Pittsburgh enters the offseason with a mix of promise and room for improvement, it’s time to evaluate the performance of each defensive positional unit. In this post, we will break down the Steelers’ defense, analyzing each position group and providing a grade for their overall performance in 2024.

### Defensive Line: Grade – B+

The Steelers’ defensive line has long been a cornerstone of their defense, and this year, they continued to show why. With **Cameron Heyward**, the stalwart defensive tackle, anchoring the unit, Pittsburgh’s defensive line held strong in both the run game and as pass rushers. Heyward, who’s been one of the NFL’s best interior linemen for years, was once again dominant. He recorded 6 sacks and was a consistent presence in the middle of the defensive line.

However, the Steelers’ defensive line wasn’t without its flaws. While Heyward remained productive, the overall pressure generated from the interior defensive line was inconsistent. **Montravius Adams** and **DeMarvin Leal** showed promise but didn’t provide the same level of impact as Heyward. Adams, in particular, struggled at times with consistency against the run, which left some holes for opposing offenses to exploit.

One of the key areas of concern for the defensive line was its ability to stop the run at times. The Steelers were ranked in the middle of the pack for rushing defense in 2024, which indicates that while they could be effective in key moments, there were still issues stopping the ball carrier on early downs.

Despite the issues, the defensive line showed a lot of promise, and with Heyward still playing at a high level and Leal continuing to develop, the Steelers should feel confident in this unit moving forward.

### Inside Linebackers: Grade – A-

The inside linebacker position has long been one of the weakest spots on Pittsburgh’s defense, but 2024 marked a step in the right direction. **Minkah Fitzpatrick**’s versatility allows for a strong safety presence, and the linebacker corps, led by **Myles Jack** and **Cole Holcomb**, showed up big for Pittsburgh.

Jack had a solid year, finishing with 100 tackles and providing leadership in the middle of the defense. His ability to read plays and make tackles in space was one of the bright spots for the defense this season. Holcomb, who had struggled to stay healthy earlier in his career, was able to stay on the field for the majority of the season and was another reliable tackler for the Steelers. Holcomb added 90 tackles and was often used in coverage, showing his ability to be versatile in pass defense.

That being said, this unit still has room for improvement. While Jack and Holcomb both played well, there were moments where they struggled to cover speedy running backs and tight ends in passing situations. The Steelers’ linebackers often found themselves exposed in zone coverage or when defending against play-action passes. Against top-tier offenses, the inability to cover receivers over the middle was evident, leading to some big plays.

Still, the combination of Jack and Holcomb was a noticeable upgrade for the Steelers compared to past years. With continued development, particularly in coverage, the inside linebacker corps could be one of the better groups in the league moving forward.

### Outside Linebackers: Grade – A

One of the strongest positions for the Steelers, the outside linebackers once again lived up to the Steel Curtain standard. **T.J. Watt**, as always, was the standout player of the group, finishing the season with 16 sacks and several game-changing plays. Watt remains one of the league’s premier edge rushers, consistently wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks and often altering the course of games. His relentless motor and ability to make plays in clutch situations make him an elite player in the NFL.

Alongside Watt, **Alex Highsmith** continued to develop into a reliable pass rusher in his own right. Highsmith had 9 sacks in 2024 and was often in the backfield, providing additional pressure to opposing quarterbacks. Highsmith’s growth has been a huge positive for the Steelers, as it has given them a formidable 1-2 punch at outside linebacker.

The Steelers’ pass rush was one of the best in the league, ranking in the top 5 for total sacks. Watt and Highsmith’s ability to get to the quarterback was a major strength for the defense and helped cover up some of the other units’ weaknesses. The only concern with the outside linebacker unit was depth, as **Jamir Jones** and **Quincy Roche** didn’t offer the same level of production as the starting duo. However, with Watt and Highsmith continuing to thrive, this is a relatively minor concern.

### Cornerbacks: Grade – B

The Steelers’ cornerback group was perhaps the most inconsistent position unit in 2024. **Patrick Peterson**, the veteran cornerback, was brought in to solidify the position, and while he provided leadership and mentorship to the younger corners, his performance was up and down. Peterson recorded 3 interceptions and had some big plays, but he was also beaten at times by quicker, younger receivers, often leaving gaps in coverage.

On the other side of the field, **Levi Wallace** was reliable for most of the season, providing solid coverage and a physical presence against opposing receivers. Wallace played with confidence, but his lack of elite speed did show at times, especially against faster receivers.

The real question mark for the cornerback group was the development of **Joey Porter Jr.**, the rookie cornerback drafted in the 2023 draft. Porter showed flashes of his potential, especially in coverage, but his lack of consistency led to some growing pains. While he has the size, athleticism, and tools to be a future star, he’s still a work in progress.

Overall, while the cornerback group wasn’t bad, it wasn’t exactly elite, either. Peterson’s performance, the inconsistent play from Wallace, and the rookie struggles of Porter Jr. all contributed to a slightly below-average grade for this unit. The Steelers will need more from their corners, especially if they face off against high-powered offenses with elite wideouts.

### Safeties: Grade – A-

The safety position for the Steelers remains one of the most solid spots on the defense, thanks to the continued dominance of **Minkah Fitzpatrick**. Fitzpatrick is arguably one of the top safeties in the NFL, and his playmaking ability was on full display this season. Fitzpatrick finished the year with 5 interceptions and provided crucial turnovers at key moments, helping the Steelers’ defense remain competitive. His ability to read quarterbacks and cover deep routes was invaluable, and he was a constant threat in the back end of the defense.

Alongside Fitzpatrick, **Terrell Edmunds** continued to be a steady, if unspectacular, contributor. Edmunds was solid against the run and offered good coverage in short to intermediate situations. While Edmunds may not have the same playmaking ability as Fitzpatrick, his reliability in coverage and his physicality made him an important part of the secondary.

Overall, the safety unit was one of the most consistent on the team. Fitzpatrick’s elite play was a major factor in the Steelers’ success, and Edmunds’ complementary role was crucial to the overall cohesion of the defense.

### Conclusion

The Steelers’ defense had an overall strong showing in 2024, but there is still work to be done as the team heads into the offseason. While positions like outside linebacker, safety, and defensive line were relatively solid, areas like cornerback and inside linebacker still need some refinement. With **T.J. Watt** continuing to dominate on the edge and **Minkah Fitzpatrick** holding down the back end, the Steelers have two of the NFL’s top defensive players. However, the team will need to focus on improving depth in their secondary and continuing the development of young players like **Joey Porter Jr.**.

With some targeted improvements, particularly at cornerback and linebacker, the Steelers’ defense has the potential to be one of the best in the league in 2025. If they can continue to build on their strong foundation, Pittsburgh’s defense will remain a force to be reckoned with for years to come.