The Pittsburgh Steelers got the kind of defensive opener they wanted against the Atlanta Falcons, holding a favorable matchup to 238 total yards and forcing two turnovers. T.J. Watt helped set the tone, and for most of the afternoon the defense looked like the unit Pittsburgh expected to put on the field.
But one spot already stands out as a problem: veteran safety Rayshawn Jenkins.
Jenkins played 31 defensive snaps in Week 1, and the results were rough. On his only target in coverage, he gave up a 23-yard touchdown to Bijan Robinson, according to Pro Football Focus, which translated to a perfect 158.3 passer rating allowed in the opener. PFF also charged him with a 31.0 tackling grade, citing poor angles to the football, and his 35.0 overall grade sits 79th among 82 qualifying safeties after Week 1.
The tape matches the numbers. Jenkins looked like a player who has struggled to hold onto a job for a while now.
His NFL path started in 2017, when the Chargers made him a fourth-round pick. He finished his rookie deal in Los Angeles, spent three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and since 2023 has bounced through four different teams. Now he’s in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers are seeing the same inconsistency that has followed him from place to place.
At 6'1'' and 200 pounds, with long arms and a strong athletic profile, Jenkins has the look of a steady NFL safety. The problem is that the production hasn’t matched the frame. His PFF grades since 2021 tell that story: 56.9 in 2021, 53.7 in 2022, 60.9 in 2023, 52.5 in 2024, 55.0 in 2025, and 35.0 in 2026.
Those grades don’t explain everything, but they help make sense of why he hasn’t stayed with one team for more than a year at a time over the last four seasons.
To be fair, Jenkins does bring some playmaking history. He has 11 career interceptions and 34 passes defensed. But that hasn’t been enough to cover for the missed angles and the coverage lapses.
For now, the Steelers probably don’t need to cut bait after one game. Jenkins still has experience and physicality to offer. The better move appears to be scaling him back into a part-time role, which is close to what happened in Week 1 anyway, when his 31 snaps made up just over 50 percent of the team’s defensive work.
That usage may still be too much. Jenkins has been beaten downfield in recent years, and Pittsburgh can’t afford for him to become the source of explosive plays. His best value comes closer to the line of scrimmage, where his physical style and willingness to tackle can matter more, especially as a blitzer.
Once DeShon Elliott returns, Jenkins should slide back into a reserve role and see his snap count fall sharply. Until then, the Steelers will have to protect him and keep him from being exposed.
In Other News...
Broderick Jones Update Reopens An Ugly Steelers Development Question
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For Pittsburgh, the interest is obvious because Jones has already pointed to the position changes he went through with the Steelers as a hurdle in his growth. Dallas is trying to give him the kind of stability he did not always have in Pittsburgh, keeping him focused strictly at right tackle instead of bouncing him around. Whether that steady plan finally unlocks him is now one of the more intriguing subplots for a Steelers fan watching from afar. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers May Be Running Out Of Time With Joey Porter Jr
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The longer the impasse lingers, the more it invites bigger questions about how the Steelers want to handle one of their most recognizable young defenders. Reports have already linked Pittsburgh to the possibility of exploring a trade, and the Detroit Lions are said to have interest, which gives the situation a layer of urgency as the season gets underway. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Could Soon Face A Joey Porter Jr. Decision
Joey Porter Jr. has become a name to watch in Pittsburgh as the young cornerback works through a back injury and has not been practicing fully. For a Steelers defense that has leaned on him as part of its long-term plan, any health issue naturally draws attention, especially with the regular season calendar already putting pressure on roster decisions.
Detroits cornerback need after Avonte Maddoxs injury has added another layer to the conversation, with rumors linking the Lions to Porter Jr. Even so, there is still no official word on any move, which leaves Pittsburgh in a familiar spot with a talented defensive back and a decision that could hinge on how the next stretch of practices unfolds. [Read more 🡒]