If the Steelers want their defense to be great again, they need to make a splash in the secondary, according to Ben Roethlisberger. While not downing the investment in the defensive line last year, he feels it’s time for the back end. They had Minkah Fitzpatrick, but even he declined, and they eventually traded him.
“I would really focus on getting a defensive juggernaut. Not a game changer on the interior. I’d get a game changer in the secondary”, Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast about the Steelers’ defense. “I’ve mentioned safety before; that’d be fine. You do at some point need a corner opposite [Joey Porter Jr.], because JPJ, you’ve got him, he’s locking people down. He’s your mainstay on that one side”.
The Steelers haven’t had much success drafting and developing in the secondary in recent years, Porter being the exception. A former 2023 draft pick at the top of the second round, he has developed into a No. 1 CB. But while they haven’t necessarily invested heavily in the secondary otherwise, they have little to show for it.
In fact, the Steelers have relied on free agency in the secondary instead to pair with Porter. First, they had Patrick Peterson, followed by Donte Jackson, and finally Darius Slay last year. They also have Jalen Ramsey, whose starting position next year is unclear. Perhaps best suited to the slot, he can play both outside and at safety, as well.
While the Steelers have DeShon Elliott returning to the secondary, much remains uncertain. Or at least, one key position remains uncertain, and what that position is could change. If Jaylen Ramsey plays in the slot, then they need another safety. Either way, though, they need another cornerback.
Of their many free agents, the Steelers have two cornerbacks to choose from to return to the secondary. Both James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. started games for them last season. Is either, however, a long-term answer, a game changer like Roethlisberger talked about?
One could argue that the Steelers haven’t had a game changer in the secondary at cornerback since Rod Woodson. They’ve had some good ones, including Joe Haden somewhat recently. Joey Porter Jr. is solid, but he isn’t a game changer. If he starts intercepting more passes, though, he could rise to that level.
Either way, they need to sign him to a long-term contract extension this offseason. But for Roethlisberger, the Steelers can’t stop there in the secondary. They have relied too much on adding budget veterans in recent years, and it hasn’t worked out as they intended. It’s been a decade since the Steelers drafted for the secondary in the first round. Could that change this year?
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