Historically, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had one of the most expensive defenses in the NFL and 2025 is no different. Pittsburgh gave multiple huge contracts to Steelers defenders and are banking on all these new faces to mesh with the stars in place and make this a championship-quality unit. The Steelers are preparing for their final preseason game, so here is our updated prediction for the starting defense when Pittsburgh takes on the New York Jets in Week One.
Defensive end
Derrick Harmon
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Nose tackle
Keenau Benton
Defensive tackle
Isaiahh Loudermilk
Left outside linebacker
T.J. Watt
Left inside linebacker
Patrick Queen
Right inside linebacker
Payton Wilson
Right outside linebacker
Alex Highsmith
Left cornerback
Darius Slay
Right cornerback
Joey Porter Jr.
Nickel cornerback
Jalen Ramsey
Free safety
Juan Thornhill
Strong safety
DeShon Elliott
In this prediction, there are six new Steelers on defense. It does include Loudermilk in place of Cameron Heyward as he continues to hold out for a new contract. It also includes a completely re-tooled secondary with only DeShon Elliott and Joey Porter Jr. from last year’s group.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Predicting the Steelers starting defense for Week One vs the Jets