The Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary is already doing work before training camp even opens, and the timing matters. With just days left, Jaquan Brisker, Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott were out on the field together running coverage drills, a clear sign that this group is treating the offseason like a chance to get ahead rather than a break.
Brisker made the message loud and clear on social media, posting: “No Comparisons, I’m The Standard! 🏹🏹”
That kind of edge fits what Pittsburgh needs right now. Mike McCarthy is heading into his first season as the new head coach, and a defense that can clamp down on opponents will go a long way toward meeting expectations. Seeing members of Patrick Graham’s secondary putting in extra work is exactly the sort of offseason detail that stands out.
The work is about more than conditioning. It’s about chemistry.
Brisker, Porter Jr. and Elliott are not just getting reps; they’re learning each other’s habits and building the kind of communication that keeps a back end from breaking down. That was a problem for Pittsburgh last season, especially when it came to defending the end zone and avoiding the kind of coverage busts that put the defense in uncomfortable spots.
The numbers tell part of that story. In 2025, the Steelers ranked 30th in passing yards allowed per game at 261. They did finish with 15 interceptions, tied for eighth, but that didn’t erase the damage done by big plays through the air.
Teryl Austin’s defense had its own issues, and injuries made the situation worse. Elliott dealt with two separate knee injuries before finally being sidelined in Week 8 against Green Bay. Jarill Peppers and Kyle Dugger both had moments that made them look like possible answers, but Elliott’s absence was still a major loss.
There’s reason to think this group can be more than just functional. Brisker brings a lot to the table as a former second-round pick who still has something to prove.
He also comes with the caution flag of a concussion history, but when he’s on the field, the production speaks for itself. In 2025, he posted 93 tackles, an interception, a sack and a forced fumble.
He has a real nose for the ball.
Porter Jr. is in a different kind of spotlight. Contract talk is never far away in Pittsburgh, and he looks like the next player who could be due for a major payday.
His reputation as a lockdown corner is backed up by the tape and the stats. In 2025, he didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage, and quarterbacks posted a 56.2% passer rating when throwing his way.
The one thing missing from his résumé is interceptions. He has three in his career.
For now, Porter Jr. is playing on a rookie deal that averages $2.40 million per year, which is a bargain for the Steelers. But that won’t last forever, and a decision is coming.
A reunion with Brisker, his former Penn State teammate, could be the kind of spark that pushes him even harder. Both players earned defensive MVP honors in college, Brisker in 2021 and Porter Jr. in 2022, and that shared background is part of what makes this offseason connection so interesting.
The trio doesn’t have to become Troy Polamalu, Ike Taylor and William Gay overnight. Those Steelers defensive back groups took years to form and were built over long stretches, not a few summer workouts. But the potential here is hard to miss.
Brisker and Porter Jr. have the kind of talent that can lead to contract extensions, and Elliott has a chance to re-establish himself as the hard-hitting safety he’s been known as. More importantly, all three are working toward the same goal: helping rebuild the Steelers’ defensive identity before the season begins.
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Ryan Clark Unleashed On ESPN After Stunning Exit
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Clark has since pushed back on how the move was described, saying on his podcast that he was fired and not simply caught up in a routine layoff. He also suggested the situation was more complicated inside ESPN, and while he has been outspoken about what happened, what comes next for him in NFL media remains unclear. [Read more 🡒]