Alex Highsmith
Alex Highsmith
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting defense didn’t play very long against the New York Jets last Friday, as it was a preseason game. However, as the Steelers continue to learn Patrick Graham’s scheme, several starters played on the first drive. Unfortunately, things did not go well. The Jets got the ball first and immediately marched 69 yards in 10 plays, scoring a relatively easy touchdown on their opening drive. Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith knows the defense’s performance wasn’t good enough.
“It’s all about starting fast. And I think just the drive, in general, can’t let ’em go down the field like that, at all,” Highsmith said Monday via Steelers.com.
The Steelers had their chances to get off the field, but couldn’t take advantage. Pittsburgh forced a 3rd-and-9 early in the drive, but gave up a 10-yard completion to keep the drive alive. On the next set of downs, they faced a 3rd-and-6, but gave up a 10-yard gain once again. And one play later, Geno Smith found his man for an easy touchdown to cap things off.
Jets first drive TD #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/SAD11CEVCW
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 21, 2026
Alex Highsmith was on the field for that drive and the next, along with several other starters. Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Nick Herbig, Payton Wilson, Patrick Queen, Jamel Dean, and DeShon Elliott were all playing around the same time. It’s discouraging to see a good number of key defenders allow a touchdown on the opening drive.
However, Highsmith has no concerns about his unit going forward.
“Just seeing where we’ve come from, from OTAs, to the start of camp, to now, I’m really excited for it. Like I said, we have a really talented group,” Highsmith said. “When we play our best, we’re a hard group to beat.”
For what it’s worth, the starters rebounded. During their second stint on the field, they stopped a run behind the line, forced an incompletion, and quickly made New York punt. Queen, Dean, Elliott, Wilson, and Herbig were on the field for the Jets’ third drive, which also ended in a punt after the Steelers pushed the Jets back out of field goal range.
For the rest of the game, the defense allowed just 10 more points. Things didn’t start well, but Pittsburgh adjusted once new bodies came in. Alex Highsmith is excited about next week’s affair in Buffalo, where the Steelers will look to start a little faster. But he’s not concerned for now.
terrible-podcast-2026-august-24-episode-3144
terrible-podcast-2026-august-24-episode-3144