Entering the 2026-27 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will rely on a secondary built to prove itself after a shaky 2025. Last season, the Steelers finished with the 29th-rated pass defense and were susceptible to allowing receivers to have big outings. This included surrendering 144 yards to Houston Texans receiver Christian Kirk in the AFC Wild Card game, 161 yards to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and 143 yards to Packers tight end Tucker Kraft.
To respond to a lackluster year in the secondary, General Manager Omar Khan invested in the unit through free agency and the NFL Draft. The Steelers landed Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker, Darnell Savage, re-signed Asante Samuel Junior, and drafted Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Daylen Everette.
Pittsburgh adds this talent to a room that already features Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey, Brandin Echols, and Deshon Elliott in hopes of slowing opposing passing attacks.
And finally, enter Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham, who’s ready to revitalize the unit. In 2025, Graham finished with the 17th-rated passing defense with the Las Vegas Raiders, giving the Steelers a clear path to improve as a whole.
Last Season’s Steelers Secondary Struggles
The Steelers’ struggles stemmed from a couple of factors, such as injuries and a lack of depth. Elliott, the team’s enforcer, missed 12 games, forcing Ramsey to play safety. Ramsey had safety experience from his days at Florida State, but he was originally brought in to play corner.
Depth was a major issue with the unit. The investments in veteran corner Darius Slay and safety Juan Thornhill failed to work out. Slay lasted 10 games with the Steelers before they cut him. He was then signed by the Bills before stepping away and eventually retiring. Thornhill was also cut after playing only nine matchups for the black and gold.
The Steelers also made a midseason move, acquiring safety Kyle Dugger to bolster the depth. Dugger had two interceptions and five pass deflections, but it was a short-term experiment that didn’t lead to a long-term deal.
Even with the emergence of cornerback James Pierre, the Steelers were unable to fix the secondary, which cost them in the playoffs against the Texans. There, Kirk led the attack against the Steelers, ending with 144 yards, and he was one of the four receivers to have a reception of 10+ yards.
What Offseason Additions Did Pittsburgh Makes?
Signing Dean was the first move the Steelers made to address the secondary this offseason. After seven seasons in Tampa Bay, the Steelers signed him to a three-year, $36.75 million contract. Last season, he finished with nine pass deflections and three interceptions, and he fits well with Porter. Dean also brings Super Bowl experience to a team eyeing its seventh title.
That same day, the Steelers re-signed Samuel, who’s only 26 and recently returned from spinal fusion surgery. After returning to the field, Samuel collected one interception and showed flashes of what he displayed as a Los Angeles Charger. Signing him allowed the Steelers to keep youth in the room while allowing him another NFL opportunity.
Steelers Bolstered Their Safety Room with Brisker, Savage
The major upgrade came in the safety room with the additions of Brisker and Savage. Brisker was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and after four seasons in Chicago, he returned home — Brisker played high school football at Gateway High School and played college football at Penn State alongside Porter. In his career, he has totaled four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and 21 pass deflections.
Savage, a nine-year veteran, has spent time with the Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Commanders. He’s totaled 10 interceptions and 41 pass deflections, and in the past three seasons, injuries have heavily limited his production. If he can stay healthy, the Steelers can have a quality depth piece in Savage.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Everette with pick 85, and he has the potential to contribute early on as a nickel or outside corner. At Georgia, he snagged five interceptions and deflected 19 passes during his career. He’ll also have the ability to learn from players such as Porter and Ramsey and develop under Graham. Even if he plays in a limited role, he’s set to succeed in the long term.
Patrick Graham Brings Experience
Graham enters his first season as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator after spending four seasons with the Raiders. During that time, his defense ranked in the top 15 in multiple categories, and he helped players like Robert Spillane and Maxx Crosby thrive in the NFL. Crosby earned four of his five Pro Bowl nods under Graham’s direction.
However, the Raiders were unable to make noise, as a stalling offense and a quarterback carousel limited their chances.
Graham also brings valuable coaching experience from his days in New England, where he learned under Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia. He was part of a “Do Your Job” culture that required everyone, from players to the staff, to contribute, and he helped the Patriots secure Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks.
This season, Graham has a chance to elevate a defense with premium talent at outside linebacker, in the secondary, and on the defensive line. His leadership in the familiar 3-4 scheme should improve communication and increase turnovers, giving the secondary a clearer identity.
In 2025, the Steelers had 15 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, 91 pass deflections, and 48 sacks. Between the five returners in the secondary, they accounted for 29 pass deflections, six interceptions, and six sacks. Three of the six sacks came from Ramsey alone.
Compared with the Raiders’ defense, which recorded only eight interceptions, 52 pass deflections, 10 forced fumbles, and 37 sacks, Graham should raise the Steelers’ secondary numbers. He can do that while keeping the scheme familiar and improving the overall result.
Graham’s ability to draw up blitzes and disguise coverages will benefit the Steelers by forcing opposing quarterbacks into mistakes and allowing defensive backs to rush the passer sneakily. Ramsey and Elliott will benefit from the system because of their ability to blitz effectively and force turnovers.
Secondary Case Study: 2025 Seattle Seahawks
As quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to end his NFL Career on a high note, the defense’s ability to perform in the secondary will be crucial. One case study to examine is the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary, which shows how much performance in that group matters.
As a unit, the Seahawks recorded 61 pass deflections, nine interceptions, six sacks, and one forced fumble. Safety Nick Emmanwori and cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe combined for 35 of the 61 pass deflections, as each notched 10 or more pass breakups. Safety Coby Bryant had four of the nine interceptions and displayed his ball-hawking ability.
The Seahawks secondary only allowed four receivers to go over 100+ yards in 20 games. The only receiver to record multiple 100+ yard games was Rams wideout Puka Nacua, who went for 225 yards in Week 16 and 165 yards in the NFC Championship game. The other three receivers to collect 100+ yards against them were Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka, Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, and San Francisco 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall.
The Seahawks secondary also helped the defense win the NFC West, despite struggling against this season’s MVP, Matthew Stafford. The Rams went 1-2 against the Seahawks, even with the Seahawks allowing them to average 28.3 points per game. Outside of the Rams, the secondary was dominant, helping the team go 3-1.
To be the best, you not only have to perform all season, but also excel against your division. Without this year’s secondary, who knows if the Seahawks would have lifted the Lombardi Trophy in February.
Steelers’ 2026-27 Outlook
The Steelers will look to defend the AFC North title, and the competition will remain tough. They’ll still see quarterback Lamar Jackson and will be matched up against receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Zay Flowers. Even if Jackson isn’t a receiver, his mobility forces defensive backs to be ready to make tackles and be ready for throws on the run.
Last season, Chase had a historic 16-reception game in the Bengals’ 33-31 victory against the Steelers. The performance tied for ninth all-time for most receptions in a game. Flowers tormented the Steelers, going for 100+ yards in both matchups, including a 138-yard performance in Week 18. If the Steelers’ secondary can better contain these top receivers, the defense can get off the field quicker and allow the offense to control the game.
Looking at the 2026 schedule, the Steelers will see wideouts such as Egbuka, A.J. Brown, Chris Olave, Devonta Smith, and Drake London, and the secondary will need to bring its best in multiple weeks of the season. These receivers offer different mixes of size and speed, so if the secondary fails, these guys could have big days and cost the Steelers games.
This season will be a big year for the Steelers’ secondary, and how they respond to Graham will be crucial to where the team finishes. If they take the expected step forward, this group can help set the tone for Pittsburgh’s season and determine how far they go.
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