Player: S DeShon Elliot
Stock Value: Up
Reasoning: Although he did not work at full capacity during minicamp, DeShon Elliott confirmed he is now fully healthy. After suffering a season-ending injury early last season, he is ready to resume a full-time role. And with a versatile safety like Jaquan Brisker next to him, it may help stabilize his responsibilities.
It feels like it’s been so long since we’ve last season DeShon Elliott, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 8. Having already dealt with a different injury earlier in the season, it was certainly a trying year. In total, he only managed to participate in five games, playing 281 snaps. But he registered 38 tackles with an interception, a forced fumble, and a sack despite the lack of opportunity.
Perhaps that kind of production is a good reminder of the kind of player the Steelers are getting back when DeShon Elliott returns to the field this fall. At least, that’s the plan, and frankly, he’s returned from worse injuries. Unfortunately, health has defined his career, going back to his rookie season. He has missed 10-plus games as often as not, including last season with the Steelers.
But there’s a reason Elliott quickly emerged as a fan favorite in 2024, despite his Ravens history. He spent four years in Baltimore, yet he immediately felt like a Steeler. He agreed, having already gone on record multiple times saying that he wants to play for the Steelers for the remainder of his career.
Well, DeShon Elliott is going into Year 9 now, though he only just recently turned 29. Thanks to his injury history, he only had 4,287 snaps under his belt. Not that injuries are ever something to be thankful for. But he is thankful to be healthy again.
Now it’s up to him to re-establish himself and his role within the defense. Because the Steelers just brought in a safety in Jaquan Brisker under somewhat similar circumstances. A talented player, even more on the younger side than was Elliott his first season in Pittsburgh, with a career marred by availability issues. Elliott arrived on a one-year contract, then signed a multi-year deal. Brisker is now on his one-year contract. Might Brisker be the safety of the future, or could this be a pair that lasts for a few years?
With the 2026 offseason well underway and many moves made, we have stock to take. Already promisinga year of change, the Steelers are shaking things up. That is unavoidable, of course, when you gut the coaching staff. Mike Tomlin’s resignation has fundamentally changed this football team, including the players on the roster.
After a long season, the Steelers showed the ability to win the division and make the playoffs. But they also showed that their progress was minimal,since they made it no further. Two years in a row, with two different quarterbacks, they went 10-7 and lost in the Wild Card Round. The only differences are they ended the season on a higher note and won the AFC North. But it didn’t help.
Recommended for you