When it comes to using T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig simultaneously, the new Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff isn’t just picking up where the old regime left off. Nor are they benefiting from the group being healthy, a relatively rare case in recent years.
This group is expanding on it in a real way. The focus in Sunday’s season opener was less on the old mode of operation, which was using these three men in obvious pass-rushing moments. Instead, it was more about making it part of Pittsburgh’s base defense.
Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig were on the field together for 20 snaps against the Falcons. Of those 20, 19 came in what I’m calling their “3-EDGE” package. That’s one-third of the defensive reps. The 20th came in a 1-5-5 look in a pass-rushing situation, similar to how the group was used last year.
While we think of Pittsburgh using all three to rush the quarterback, the Steelers were more inclined to use them on early downs to stop the run. Of those 19 3-EDGE looks, 18 came on first or second down. Atlanta ran the ball on 12 of them.
In fact, the Steelers opened the season with this look as their starting grouping. Below is this 3-EDGE grouping. Two down linemen, five total linebackers, and four defensive backs.
On that snap, Herbig was aligned close to the line of scrimmage against the Falcons’ 12 personnel (two tight ends). Pittsburgh used it against passing-centric groupings, too. Eleven of those 19 snaps came against 11 personnel (three receivers). In those moments, Herbig would often be displaced, as he is to the bottom here.
Pittsburgh’s decision to play exclusive zone coverage helped them stay in this grouping, as did Atlanta being down to its third-string quarterback and lacking wide receiver depth. But the Steelers don’t appear to only use this package against “big people.” They’ll use it in any situation.
A look at the more-traditional 1-5-5 package in a passing situation. Third and long after RB Jaylen Warren’s fumble, the Steelers have Keeanu Benton as the lone defensive lineman on the field. Five linebackers and five defensive backs join him in a pressure look.
Pittsburgh dropped out of its blitz, but Atlanta still countered well. QB Cooper Rush threw a screen to RB Bijan Robinson, who jetted away from Jalen Ramsey (aligned in the B-gap pre-snap) for the Falcons’ lone touchdown of the day.
Pittsburgh used just two down linemen for these packages instead of opting for a 3-5 look with only one safety. The Steelers rotated linemen throughout this grouping. Here’s their snap counts:
Keeanu Benton – 10
Cam Heyward – 8
Derrick Harmon – 7
Yahya Black – 7
Sebastian Joseph-Day – 6
Final Thoughts & Takeaways
This package is something to keep watching going forward. Initial results suggest this is less of a “specialty” package for certain moments but a grouping that can and will be used throughout the game. Against Atlanta, the only package Pittsburgh used more than its 3-EDGE was its base 2-4-5 nickel (29 snaps).
Facing higher-powered offenses than Atlanta the next two weeks, New England and Cincinnati, will test this grouping even more. Pittsburgh’s plan could ebb and flow throughout the season. But Pittsburgh is putting its best – and highest-paid – 11 men on the field at once.