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Alex Highsmith discusses 'key pieces' Steelers added throughout offseason

profilephotocropby: Suzanne Halliburton08/22/23suzhalliburton
alex highsmith
Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Highsmith predicted that the Steelers will field the best defense in the NFL this season. Now, he’s a bit biased since he’s one of the Pittsburgh anchors. But he does have a point.

The Steelers, in their abrupt turnaround in 2022, going from hapless to playoff hopeful, leaned into the defense. They’ve since added some key figures via free agency and the draft to help them even more. Highsmith, the two-year starter at linebacker, appeared on Good Morning Football Tuesday to heap all sorts of praise of his fellow teammates.

“I think we’ve added a lot of key pieces here in this offseason,” Highsmith said of the Steelers defense. Guys like Pat P, Elandon Roberts, other guys as well Cole Holcomb, We also had the young guys who are rookies as well like Nick Herbig and Joey Porter Jr. … Having guys like that, especially these young guys that can come in and contribute, it’s huge.

“But I think we have … talent all around the board. And for us, it’s just staying healthy. And like I said earlier with my play just overall as a defense, we just got to be consistent. I think that this last preseason game we came out, we started fast. I think the key to being a good defense is coming out and starting fast every single game. It can’t just be one game. We’re coming out and starting fast. And we’ve got to start fresh every single game and it starts with week one. We just got to be able to be consistent with that all year, But we know we have the talent and the ability in our room to be the best.”

Elandon Roberts (50) is one of the key new additions to the Steelers defense. He’s seen here with cornerback Duke Dawson trying to tackle Najee Harris during a training camp practice. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Key pickups for Steelers defense

Patrick Peterson DB 13th year

Elandon Roberts LB 8th year

Cole Holcomb LB 5th year

Joey Porter Jr DB rookie

Nick Herbig LB rookie

Now, combine the newcomers with a Steelers defense led by T.J. Watt, and you have a force. Watt tore a pectoral muscle in last year’s season opener. Plus, he had a knee issue. But once he returned, the Steelers held opponents to fewer than 17 points per game. That’s winning football.

They’ll know immediately where they stand in the season opener. That’s when they play host to the 49ers. which features one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL.