Training camps around the NFL are finally here, and for the Pittsburgh Steelers , it's not a time to see how this new-look team under new head coach Mike McCarthy will operate.
While this team isn't exactly a top Super Bowl favorite, they're still in a fairly strong spot to make a playoff push this season with a solid roster overall. But, combing over the roster, there is one glaring weakness.
According to Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox , four players in the Steelers' secondary, more specifically the three main safeties, are the reason to have concern for the Steelers heading into 2026.
"Pittsburgh's defense should be solid up front. On paper, Jalen Ramsey , Joey Porter Jr. , and free-agent addition Jamel Dean should comprise a very formidable cornerback group. However, the Steelers could be vulnerable on the back end," Knox writes.
The Steelers' "biggest strength," according to Knox, is the pass rush group, with the edge rushers and interior defensive linemen being among the best in the NFL.
This cornerback room is also very strong. But Knox highlighted the safeties, more specifically three players: DeShon Elliott , Jaquan Brisker , Darnell Savage , and Robert Spears-Jennings, as the main reasons to worry about this defense heading into 2026.
"... and they lost DeShon Elliott for most of the season to an MCL sprain and a hamstring injury," Knox writes. "Elliott's health is one potential issue on the back end..."
Coming off such serious injuries, it shouldn't be a surprise that there is concern about Elliott being a positive factor for the Steelers' defense in 2026.
Of course, if he's back and ready to go, that's one less position to worry about, and this safety room wouldn't be as weak. But the other two starting options have some concerns of their own.
"... but the Steelers may have an even bigger issue at deep safety. Free-agent addition Jaquan Brisker was a liability for the Bears last season, allowing an opposing passer rating of 127.6 in coverage," Knox writes.
Brisker didn't sign a long-term or big contract this offseason in free agency, joining the Steelers on a one-year, $4.5 million prove-it deal.
The reason why is simple: despite recording 23 tackles and one sack with one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, and two passes defended in the playoffs last year for the Chicago Bears , his overall season wasn't great.
In pass coverage, he allowed a 127.6 passer rating, as he gave up five touchdowns, 426 yards, and 36 receptions on 48 targets last year. While he might've had one interception for the fourth-straight year, his struggles in coverage were a huge issue.
"The depth behind Elliott and Brisker is headlined by Darnell Savage, who bounced between three teams last season, and rookie seventh-round pick Robert Spears-Jennings," Knox writes.
With such questions about the two starting safeties, the backups are all the more important. Unfortunately, the Steelers' depth at safety is questionable.
Savage is a huge question mark after bouncing between the Jacksonville Jaguars , Washington Commanders , and Buffalo Bills last season. He was solid with the Jaguars in 2024 and the Green Bay Packers before that, but he's regressed a bit in recent years.
Similar to Brisker, Savage allowed a very high 126.0 passer rating last year, giving up three touchdowns, 125 yards, and 14 receptions on 20 targets.
Spears-Jennings is a seventh-round rookie and is a total unknown regarding his play against NFL-level competition. He's a 22-year-old out of Oklahoma who could be a decent depth piece.
Elliott's injury issue, Brisker's pass coverage, and the uncertainty surrounding Savage and Spears-Jennings make for a worrying safety room that is the Steelers' biggest weakness.
Sebastian Castro , Jack Henderson, Tamon Lynum, and Ahmari Harvey are the other safeties on the roster coming into training camp, none of whom are locks to make the roster.
This is one roster spot that could use a free agent or trade to bolster the room during training camp, unless there is a standout or two from this group during the summer ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
