Third-and-long is a defense’s best friend. Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers frequently and frustratingly struggled in those situations, offensive conversion rates were low.
It remains the aim for any defense: let the pass rush pin their ears back and make the offense one-dimensional with a limited menu of concepts to call.
Pittsburgh’s defense didn’t make that happen enough last season. Earlier this week, we noted the need for the Steelers’ run defense to improve to revitalize the pass rush. This would specifically aid T.J. Watt’s search for a bounce-back season.
Digging into the numbers, the Steelers’ defense didn’t maximize its opportunities. Below is a third-and-long rate for the defense. The higher the number, the more often Pittsburgh put opposing offenses in “and-long” situations, defined as needing seven or more yards to convert on third or fourth down.
Steelers’ Defensive Third-/Fourth-And-Long Rate
Year Defensive Third-/Fourth-And-Long Rate
2025 39.6%
2024 46.0%
2023 44.8%
Last season saw a three-year low, dipping below 40 percent after sitting in the mid-to-high 40s over the past two years. Just 109 of 275 third/fourth downs put the opposing offense in those “and-long” situations.
That number needs to change and return to the 40-something percent figure. That begins by stopping the run on early downs. This chart catalogs rushing yards per carry allowed on first down over the past three seasons.
First Down Rush YPC Allowed
Year First Down Rush YPC Allowed
2025 4.7
2024 4.4
2023 4.2
It’s a steady increase that shows an alarming trend. When teams can run on first down, they stay on schedule and put themselves in third-and-short, if they get there at all. That makes it significantly harder for the pass rush to wreak havoc.
There’s reason for optimism. Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black flashed the ability to stop the run. Harmon, in particular, made a difference. Now, they’re in their second seasons with the chance to accelerate their growth.
Adding Sebastian Joseph-Day and run-stuffing sixth-rounder Gabriel Rubio will help, too. Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson will test the group out of the gate in the season opener.
If the Steelers can show progress against the run, they can get after whichever pocket passer starts at quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa, who the team sacked four times last year, or Michael Penix Jr as he recovers from a 2025 torn ACL.
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