After a knee injury cut his breakout season short, veteran safety DeShon Elliott returns to anchor Pittsburgh’s secondary alongside Jaquan Brisker in Patrick Graham’s new-look defense.
Coming off a breakout year for DeShon Elliott, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed the veteran safety to a two-year deal worth $12.5 million last summer.
In 2024, Elliott recorded a career-high 108 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception for Pittsburgh. Last season, he started and played in five games before suffering a hyperextended knee against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8, ending his season.
The 2018 sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens told reporters on Tuesday that he's "good" this spring. He feels blessed to get another opportunity to play this season.
"I've been hurt a couple of times," said Elliott, via the Steelers. "First six months is hard, and the last three is pretty easy, so I'm good now. I had a lot going on last year. Was on the field, off the field. I'm just happy to be able to play ball again.
"I put that behind me. I'm blessed to be out here with my guys, man. Anything else, I can't even worry about it. It's a blessing to be able to play this game whenever you can. I'm going into my ninth year, missing a lot of ball last year and just happy to be out here with my guys."
With a new coaching staff in Pittsburgh, the veteran has a new defensive scheme other learn under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Elliott thinks the Steelers have nailed the basics of the defense down before mandatory minicamp this week. They'll be ready to put the new scheme into full motion when training camp starts next month.
"It's a new playbook, but we have a lot of smart guys," said Elliott. "They've broken it down for us very easy. I think over these last couple of weeks, everything started coming together when it comes to the basics of the defense, and it's pretty easy right now.
"Going into training camp, once you put those pads on, football becomes actual football. So that's all that really matters."
Elliott projects to start this season alongside fellow safety and newcomer Jaquan Brisker, who signed in free agency after beginning his career with the Chicago Bears.
Elliott will bring the Steelers yet another veteran presence on a team that's built to compete for a championship with age.
