Pittsburgh Steelers S DeShon Elliott had arguably his best NFL season in 2024. He posted his first 100-plus tackle season to go along with four tackles for loss (second-best in his career), one interception and three recovered fumbles.
The interception came in his Steelers debut, kickstarting a great season.
DeShon Elliott with the INT in his #Steelers debut‼️
📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/6ZtY8IsejS
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 8, 2024
So understandably, the Steelers (and fans) were excited to see if Elliott would build on that season in 2025. He missed Weeks 2 and 3 due to an injury in the season opener. However, he had 38 total tackles, one sack, one interception, two passes knocked down and one forced fumble in five appearances.
Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. The question is, how well will he come back from that injury in 2026?
That’s why beat writer Mark Kaboly thinks he’s a defensive player under the microscope this season.
“I think Elliott is a huge key, too, because you remember what he did two years ago,” Kaboly said Friday on 93.7 The Fan’s The PM Team. “He makes a whole bunch of difference. Is he still the Elliott that they said, ‘Okay, we don’t need Minkah anymore’ for? Or is he taking a step back because of that injury he had last year?”
The Steelers knew they needed better safety play in 2026. Kyle Dugger went to the Cincinnati Bengals as the Steelers cut his playing time at the end of the season. In total, four safeties who logged playing time for the Steelers in 2025 are gone.
They added two in free agency, Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage. They also drafted S Robert Jennings-Spears. However, a healthy and resurgent DeShon Elliott will be a big boost to the Steelers defense.
If Elliott isn’t back to his 2024 form, it could negatively impact the rest of the secondary. Due to injuries (and some players not working out), Jalen Ramsey spent a lot of time at safety last year. If Elliott is healthy and playing well, new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham can move Ramsey around more.
If DeShon Elliott isn’t playing well, then the Steelers might have to find more safety help mid-season, just as they did last year. Heck, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo thinks the Steelers could be looking to pick up a safety around cutdown days regardless.
No matter what, plenty of eyes will be on DeShon Elliott come Week 1 to see how he’s playing after that knee injury. If he’s good to go, he could be a big part of the Steelers’ defensive success in 2026.