Steelers high-priced defense has no excuse not to start season strong

There is not a team in the NFL that has invested more money and resources into its defense in recent years than the Pittsburgh Steelers. That continued this offseason with long-term extensions for outside linebacker Nick Herbig and defensive lineman Keeanu Benton. It might still continue if they can find a way to get cornerback Joey Porter Jr. signed before Sunday's season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Despite all the money, investments and big names, it is fair to say that the defense has badly underachieved over the past couple of years — especially during the 2025 season. 

Given their early-season matchups, and some of the luck that has been going their way before the ball even kicks off on the season, they have no excuse not to get off to a strong start.

Steelers big-money defense has to shine early

They found out on Friday that they will get to face a third-string quarterback in Sunday's season opener when Cooper Rush gets the start for the Falcons.

With Michael Penix Jr. not yet ready to return to action, and with Tua Tagovailoa now sidelined, it creates a matchup that should favor the Steelers defense, including their pass rush that is led by T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Herbig. 

If you can't stop Rush in your season-opener, at home, then your defense is probably setting the stage for a disappointing year.

In Week 2, they will be traveling to face a New England Patriots team that will be playing without its top wide receiver, A.J. Brown, due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in their Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. While quarterback Drake Maye still has the potential to take over a game, not having Brown is going to significantly limit the Patriots' upside. 

After a tough matchup in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, they get a week 4 game against Deshaun Watson and a Cleveland Browns team that figures to be one of the worst in the NFL this season.

Given how difficult the second half of the Steelers schedule looks on paper, it is going to be a necessity for them to get off to a strong start. Right now, a lot of things are lining up in their favor with some early-season matchups that should help them do exactly that. 

If they can't take advantage of that and stack a few wins early, it is only going to reinforce how underwhelming the defensive investments have been. They have to deliver.