The Pittsburgh Steelers pride themselves on fielding a consistently dominant defense year after year. But in 2024, that vaunted unit has struggled mightily in the absence of one underrated player: safety DeShon Elliott. The hard-hitting defensive back, signed to a modest contract in free agency, has quietly become the linchpin of the Steelers’ scheme. And his impact has never been more evident than in the two games he missed with a hamstring injury.
Elliott’s Absence Exposes Steelers’ Defensive Woes
The numbers paint a stark picture of just how critical Elliott is to Pittsburgh’s success:
- With Elliott, the Steelers allow a league-best 4.8 yards per play
- Without him, that average skyrockets to a league-worst 6.7 yards per play
It’s a truly shocking disparity for a defense loaded with Pro Bowlers and accomplished veterans. Elliott may not boast the accolades of teammates like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, but his coaches and peers recognize how vital he is to the unit’s temperament and execution.
Pretty exceptional…Quietly this guy’s been having an outstanding year, like really top-notch.
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on Elliott’s impact
Irreplaceable Run Defender
Much of Elliott’s value stems from his elite run defense. He ranks 6th in the NFL with 51 tackles on designed runs and is 2nd on the Steelers with 96 total stops. His rare combination of physicality, quick triggering, and sound tackling sets the tone for the entire defense. Never was that more apparent than when the Steelers surrendered 162 rushing yards to Derrick Henry in Week 15 with Elliott sidelined.
Passing Game Lynchpin
As stout as he is against the run, Elliott’s absence might be even more palpable when the ball is in the air. The Steelers rank 2nd in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.4) with him on the field. In the snaps without him? Dead last at a ghastly 9.1 yards per attempt. Communication breakdowns and coverage busts have proliferated minus Elliott’s steadying presence on the back end.
Key to Containing Kelce and Chiefs
With a Christmas Day matchup against the Chiefs and Travis Kelce looming, Elliott’s expected return couldn’t come at a more critical juncture. Kansas City boasts the NFL’s most lethal pass-catching tight end, one who often demands specialized game plans and personnel to contain. Elliott figures to play an integral role in Pittsburgh’s approach.
| Steelers vs TEs – Elliott On-Field | Steelers vs TEs – Elliott Off-Field |
| 66% completions allowed | 89% completions allowed |
| 6.0 yards per attempt | 8.6 yards per attempt |
The Steelers know they can’t defend the Chiefs with a predictable approach. Having Elliott’s versatility to float between man coverage, robber zones, and run support will be essential to keeping Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes guessing. In a must-win game with massive playoff implications, Pittsburgh is counting on their underrated safety to round their defense back into championship form.
You have to be able to do different things. I think if you just line up and say, ‘OK, hey, we’re going to play a man all day,’ they’re going to eat you up. If you line up and just say you’re going to play zone all day, they’re going to eat you up.
Austin on defending the Chiefs’ multifaceted offense
Steelers’ Defensive Fulcrum
DeShon Elliott may not be a household name, but the Steelers know he’s the fulcrum of their defense. The under-the-radar safety puts the steel in their trademark Steel Curtain. With a top-heavy roster striving for another ring, Elliott’s ability to elevate those around him can ultimately swing their Super Bowl fortunes. Pittsburgh is a different defense with #23 flying around and delivering punishing hits. And they’ll need every ounce of his rugged presence to emerge victorious on Christmas.
