If Sebastian Joseph-Day sounds like a Steelers defensive lineman already, that’s no coincidence. They brought him here for a reason. While he won’t be in the starting lineup, he will be a key part of the rotation. A rotation that is looking stronger than it has in some time, particularly as Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black mature.
A seven-year veteran now on his fifth team, Sebastian Joseph-Day has been around the block. He played with Aaron Donald in Los Angeles, Javon Hargrave in San Francisco, and Jeffrey Simmons in Tennessee. Now with the Steelers, he’ll be lining up alongside Cam Heyward, the elder statesman of the league’s defensive linemen. And everyone else, because he isn’t concerned where he plays, just what his job is.
“That’s what’s funny”, Joseph-Day told Missi Matthews for the Steelers’ website about having no position preference. “I think what makes me a little unique is that I legit can play anywhere. I started my career playing next to Aaron [Donald] at nose [tackle]. Then when I went to the Chargers, I played more three[-technique]. Now with the Titans, I played more five-tech, six-tech, which is more outside, on the tackle, outside the tackle”.
Now 31 years old, Sebastian Joseph-Day has seen and done it all from a defensive line point of view. He doesn’t put his ego into it beyond executing his job and making sure others execute theirs. As long as everyone is on point, he sees the potential this Steelers team has, too. But it starts with every man doing his job within the service of the greater whole.
“I pride myself on being able to do it all and play from anywhere and get the job done. I don’t consider myself flashy, I don’t consider myself pretty”. Joseph-Day went on, “I don’t try to be pretty. Bring your hardhat and your lunch pail and just get it done, you know?”.
The Steelers signed Joseph-Day this offseason to a two-year, $11 million contract. He stacks in behind Heyward, Harmon, and Keeanu Benton for a starting role, but will pair with Black as key rotational contributors. Traditionally, they only dress five defensive linemen on game day, but there’s potentially room for one more. Currently, Esezi Otomewo and Logan Lee would be the top candidates.
The Steelers have lacked quality depth along the defensive line for years since the line including Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, and Tyson Alualu dissolved. That’s why they drafted two defensive linemen last year, including one in the first round. They could certainly add another this year, though probably not that early again. They do have to prepare for eventually life after Cam Heyward, though. Sebastian Joseph-Day should be a welcome contributor, but that’s one problem in particular he is not equipped to solve.