Steelers bolster razor-thin position group by adding a former first-round pick amidst knee injury to a key starter on defense
A depth piece that makes too much sense.
Part of the reason the Pittsburgh Steelers were gashed in the run game on Sunday against the New York Jets was that the Steelers were missing their enforcer on the backend of the defense. The player who would rally from the secondary and make plays on the ball: DeShon Elliott.
Leaving the game early with a knee injury, Elliott is expected to miss a few weeks with an MCL sprain, per Jordan Schultz, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to bolster the safety position with hard-hitting Jabrill Peppers.
Steelers sign Jabrill Peppers amidst DeShon Elliott MCL Sprain
Peppers was one of those surprising releases that we see around the league every year. He was a team captain for the New England Patriots last season, but between a new regime and playing in only six games last year, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots cut ties with the physical safety.
The soon to be 30 year old brings a lot of the same energy and hit power that Elliott has brought back to Pittsburgh. Peppers had the best season of his career in 2023, recording career highs in interceptions and pass breakups, while also logging a sack and nearly 80 tackles.
What this move ensures is that the Steelers will have one of the most physical and versatile secondaries in the league. Jalen Ramsey played all over against the Jets. His first snap of the game was at post safety. He played the majority of his snaps in the nickel, or slot corner, and then, when Joey Porter Jr. went out with a hamstring, he switched to outside corner and had a game-saving pass breakup.
So, between the lack of depth, the injury to Elliott, and the scheme fit that Peppers presents, it’s a homerun of a signing for the Steelers.
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