The Pittsburgh Steelers are back from their bye week with a defense that looks like a top-five unit in the league. This shift did not happen by accident. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham listened to his veterans and stopped forcing rigid schemes that failed early in the season. He moved Nick Herbig to create mismatches, then pivoted back to the role that made him successful last year. That simple change proved Graham values winning over his own pride.
The biggest win for the defense came with Jalen Ramsey. The veteran said he had to change his role last year because the safety group was decimated, but now he is back to the exact spot Mike Tomlin envisioned. Christopher Carter noted on his podcast that Ramsey has said, “when I was brought here, Mike Tomlin envisioned this exact role for me, but I had to change it up because we were decimated at safety last year.” Graham bridged the communication gaps that used to hurt the unit and built a strong partnership with Patrick Queen. He also kept T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in positions where they can thrive.
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Looking Past The Bye Week
While the current defense is strong, the team must keep an eye on the 2027 Draft to stay elite. According to Still Curtain, the main way the Steelers will focus on the future is through that upcoming draft class. The biggest question remains at quarterback, especially with Drew Allar showing surprisingly good play in the preseason. Because the squad is performing well, their selection in the first round will probably occur later on.
A bold mock draft using Pro Football Network’s simulator suggests the Steelers will pick KJ Bolden, a defensive back from Georgia. Still Curtain reported that Bolden has enough versatility to warrant the pick and can play either safety spot or even thrive in the slot. The evaluation suggests Robert Spears-Jennings will become the key figure in the safety room, which is expected to be revamped this offseason. Bolden can slot in and replace Jalen Ramsey given how the team utilizes him, as he is a sure tackler who thrives in coverage.
The Path Forward
The Steelers have fixed the holes that plagued them before the bye. They have a coach who adapts and a veteran leader who knows his role. The future plan involves adding young talent like Bolden to surround the quarterback with skill. The team will face the Cincinnati Bengals next on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8:20 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
