Derrick Harmon Yahya Black Steelers defensive line d-line
Derrick Harmon Yahya Black Steelers defensive line d-line
Have the Steelers finally rebuilt their defensive line (for now)?
The Steelers had a dominant defensive line with Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave, and Tyson Alualu. Can this unit come close? They still have Heyward, of course, for perhaps another two seasons, and he’s still playing at a high level. Derrick Harmon could be their breakout player in 2026, and the future face of the group.
Between Heyward and Harmon, the Steelers’ new defensive line still has Keeanu Benton, but also the emerging Yahya Black. Another second-year player, he has bulked up this year and should see significant work as a nose tackle. It’s unclear what that will mean for Benton, but it’s a welcome problem for the coaching staff.
On top of that, the Steelers have some intriguing depth players battling it out for the last roster spot or two along the defensive line. We haven’t even talked about Sebastian Joseph-Day yet, an experienced veteran who can play all positions. But behind them is an interesting mix of old and new, the cream hopefully rising to the top.
If recent precedent holds, the Steelers will keep the one defensive lineman they drafted. They would be Gabriel Rubio, a sixth-round pick out of Notre Dame. Hardly anybody had heard of him before the Steelers took him, but he has been having a solid training camp based on Alex Kozora’s reporting. Even Cam Heyward recently gave him a shoutout, so it can’t be all too bad. And then there’s Logan Lee, Dean Lowry, and Esezi Otomewo, among others.
The caveat with the Steelers’ defensive line is, of course, its likely short-term nature. Heyward is obviously not the future, or at least not the long-term future. Perhaps Benton, Harmon, and Black can be, but is that enough?
Have the Steelers done enough to rebuild their starting defensive line of the future for the post-Heyward years, or will they still need another piece down the line? That’s one thing they will obviously look to determine during this season. But they have to make a decision on Benton before then. He’s due for a contract extension, and there’s a little over a month before the season starts. Will they do a deal or let him play out his rookie contract?
The Steelers have a long road ahead of them under Mike McCarthy, along with his cadre of quarterbacks.With seven consecutive postseason losses, and no wins in nearly a decade, they are under fire for their repeated playoff failures. While we have seen many changes, none could dream of topping Mike Tomlin resigning.
We’re already into training camp, with free agency and the draft already reshaping rosters. The Steelers, of course, are used to early offseason mode as a team thatloses by the middle of January all the time. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.