Retooled Steelers Secondary Can be Elite

Are we seeing a 2008-2010 Steelers defensive dynasty again? There is no question that the front seven, including the likes of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, are ready to feast on opposing quarterbacks - but what about this secondary? All signs going into 2023/24 seem to be pointing to that this new unit in the back could create a real problem for any offense looking to stand in their way.

This new secondary was carefully put together by previous GM Kevin Colbert, by trading for now All-Pro Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019. This has allowed the Steelers to have a security blanket in the secondary, with Fitzpatrick being an incredible tackler and ball hawk. Having these traits has made Minkah an absolute field general at the second level.

Even a Swiss Army knife can’t do it all, all the time. You need to have more tools and that’s exactly what Omar Khan and company did.

Their first order of business was to add veteran leadership and knowledge to the secondary -- and they got just that with Patrick Peterson. While Pat Pete still has gas left in that tank, it was clear that an infusion of youth was needed at the boundaries for when he decided to hang the cleats up. At pick number 32, to start the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected a familiar face in standout Penn-State corner Joey Porter Jr., who has great speed and historic length at the position.

Porter Jr would eventually be the Batman at corner for the Steelers, but he needed himself a Robin. In the 7th round at pick number 241, the Steelers selected Purdue Cornerback Corey Trice Jr. Corey is another long corner but provides another level of physicality to the secondary with great press coverage abilities. When it is all said and done, Porter Jr was the obvious pick and will be great, but Trice might have been the steal of the draft.

With a young, long, and physical new duo, paired with the great knowledge and experience of Pat Pete; this unit is primed for many years to come. This will lead to more pressure up front and create panic for opposing offenses when they see the Steelers on their calendar. This unit was crafted and molded to be a physical one that resembles the 2008-2010 secondary.