When the Steelers signed DeShon Elliott, I thought he’d be a solid addition to the defense. I didn’t expect him to become one of the team’s best players, but here we are. Week after week, Elliott has been a standout, and his performance against the Browns in Week 13 was no exception. Every time a defensive play was made, it seemed like DeShon was involved. He led the team with 13 tackles—nine of them solo—and even added a pass defended.

Elliott has been a tackling machine all season. He’s consistently one of the top tacklers for the Steelers, leading the team in tackles in four of their 13 games so far. Currently, he has 64 solo tackles on the year, which is tied for 17th in the NFL. Add in his two forced fumbles (16th in the league) and an interception, and you’ve got a guy who’s doing it all.

One big reason the Steelers likely brought Elliott in was to help Minkah Fitzpatrick get back to doing what he does best: making splash plays all over the field. While this season hasn’t been Minkah’s best statistically, Elliott’s presence is likely a big reason the Steelers have Fitzpatrick focusing on shutting down the deep ball. Fitzpatrick playing deep safety discourages teams from attacking the deep middle of the field and keeps a lid on almost all deep shots in general.

Elliott thrives near the line of scrimmage, where he can stuff the run and deliver punishing hits. This allows Minkah to stay back and patrol the secondary, ensuring big plays don’t happen. Together, they’ve created a dynamic duo that’s a major reason the Steelers’ defense isn’t giving up explosive plays like it has in the past.

Elliott hasn’t just been productive; he’s brought an edge to this defense that fits the Steelers’ identity perfectly. He’s tough, physical, and not afraid to get in anyone’s face—and I love it! After he makes a play, he’ll let you know about it. That kind of energy is contagious and has helped this defense play with more bite. They’re showing pride, an edge, and a will to dominate at every level.

Currently ranked 5th in points allowed and 4th in rushing yards allowed, the Steelers’ defense is thriving, and Elliott is a huge part of that success. Whether he’s making tackles, forcing turnovers, or setting the tone with his hard-hitting style, Elliott has been one of the best pickups of the year. During his introductory press conference, when asked why he chose the Pittsburgh Steelers, he simply pointed to the Steelers logo. So far, he’s played exactly how a Steeler should.

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