The Steelers have the highest-paid defense in the NFL by a wide margin. With as many stars as they have on that side of the football, there are plenty of expectations for this unit. Those expectations are so high that Steelers reporter Jeff Hathhorn thinks it\u2019s a failure if this defense isn\u2019t one of the best in the league.<\/p>\n
\u201c[Juan Thornhill] brings super energy,\u201d Hathhorn said Friday on 93.7 The Fan<\/a> on Friday. \u201cI don\u2019t think he actually meant they were gonna be the greatest defense of all time. He\u2019s just excited about it. Now, if this defense isn\u2019t top five in the league, it\u2019s a failure. I think the depth on the defense is in a place where it hasn\u2019t been in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Hathhorn is referencing safety Juan Thornhill, who earlier this week said this could be the best defense of all time<\/a>. Now, that\u2019s a lofty goal, and probably unreasonable. There\u2019s a number of outstanding defenses across NFL history, including some impeccable units in Pittsburgh that this Steelers team would have to beat. However, Thornhill\u2019s words do show that the defense understands the expectations placed upon it.<\/p>\n Whether the Steelers\u2019 defense can live up to that remains to be seen. But there\u2019s plenty of reason to believe it can. There\u2019s talent across the starting lineup, and the only real question mark in the starting 11 is at safety. There, DeShon Elliott had a terrific year in 2024, one that earned him a contract extension. Starting alongisde him will be either<\/a> Thornhill or Chuck Clark. However, even those two have had success in their respective careers before their struggles over the last two seasons.<\/p>\n