Pittsburgh's DeShon Elliott offers a physical solution to Seattle's secondary woes, potentially fortifying the Super Bowl champs' defense.
The secondary has quietly become one of the biggest question marks for the Seattle Seahawks heading into the 2026 season—and it’s not hard to see why.
Free agency brought significant changes, including the departures of key defensive backs such as Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant. For a team that will be defending the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season, that’s a concern that can’t be ignored.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, he has them addressing that concern. He put together a trade proposal for every contender to fill their biggest need. For the reigning Super Bowl champions, he thinks they should go after Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback DeShon Elliott.
"The Seahawks signed safety Rodney Thomas II, but he's primarily played on special teams over the last two years," Moton writes. "The Pittsburgh Steelers may be willing to deal Elliott after they signed safeties Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage. Unless Jalen Ramsey moves into the slot full-time, Elliott could play in a reduced role coming off an injury-riddled campaign."
What makes Elliott especially intriguing is his play style. He’s a physical, downhill defender who thrives near the line of scrimmage but has enough range to hold his own in coverage. That versatility would fit well in a Seahawks defense that has traditionally valued safeties who can do a little bit of everything.
In his two seasons with the Steelers, he racked up 146 total tackles and five tackles for loss. He was also able to show his knack for the ball with eight passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
For the Seahawks, this kind of move would be about stabilizing the defense. Rather than relying solely on unproven options, adding a veteran like Elliott could provide immediate reliability and leadership to a transitioning unit.
If the Seahawks want to remain contenders in a competitive NFC and defend their Super Bowl win this past season, reinforcing the secondary feels less like a luxury and more like a necessity.
Whether it’s Elliott or another veteran, the message is clear: this defense may need another piece before the season begins.