Tag: DeShon Elliott

2025 Free Agency: Can Steelers afford Tee Higgins’ massive payday?

The Steelers may be interested in Tee Higgins, but his price tag could force them to consider a cheaper alternative.

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves once again in search of receiver help heading into 2025. Bengals WR  Tee Higgins, arguably the biggest free-agent wide receiver this offseason, has been tied to the Black and Gold as of late. However, he may prove too expensive for the Steelers’ taste.

According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, Higgins is expected to break the $30 million per year mark. Fowler noted that he has heard discussions of Higgins’ contract being lower—closer to Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith’s $25 million per year—but ultimately, more team personnel believe it will be much higher:

“The rest saw him breaking into the $30 million range, based on his status as a No. 1-caliber receiver and the number of teams desperate for pass-catching help.”

This could prove troublesome for the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, with T.J. Watt, George Pickens, and DeShon Elliott set to hit free agency in 2026—all of whom could command massive contracts in their own right.

Should the Pittsburgh Steelers settle for a cheaper veteran option, such as WR Amari Cooper, or is Higgins’ talent too great to pass up in 2025 free agency?

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Who was the Steelers’ true defensive MVP in 2024?

DeShon Elliott’s stellar 2024 season highlighted his versatility and dominance, cementing his importance in the Steelers’ defense.

The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers boasted one of the strongest defensive rosters the team had in decades—on paper. While the Steelers struggled to contain offenses in the latter half of the season, a few defensive players consistently excelled—especially strong safety DeShon Elliott.

Elliott’s signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers was one of the most underrated moves of the offseason but a welcome addition, as the safety served as a Swiss Army knife for the defense.

Elliott was at his best when stopping the run and flying around the field making tackles, but he also proved himself as a capable pass rusher and excelled in man coverage.

His three fumble recoveries and 73 solo tackles led all Steelers defenders in 2024—despite playing in two fewer games.

While many may argue that Steelers DT Cam Heyward was just as dominant and important to the defense, Elliott consistently made opposing offenses feel his presence.

Elliott’s 2024 performance proves why he should be labeled the MVP of the Steelers defense this season, and fans have every reason to be excited about what the safety has in store for 2025.

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If Mike Tomlin stays, Steelers DC Teryl Austin needs to go

Teryl Austin’s future with the Steelers is in question as criticisms mount over his handling of a star-studded defense in 2024.

The once-illustrious winning ways of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Black and Gold symbol of excellence continue to be tarnished by HC Mike Tomlin’s ‘winning seasons” and his coaching staff—more specifically, DC Teryl Austin.

Insider Gerry Dulac reported that Tomlin is likely to remain with the Steelers in 2025. With this information in mind, it’s time to wish Austin the best in his future endeavors.

If Pittsburgh hopes to remain competitive in 2025 and beyond under Tomlin, something from this subpar coaching staff needs to change—and it starts with the defensive coordinator.

Austin was gift-wrapped one of the greatest defenses on paper a coach could ask for, yet he failed to coach and prepare them for the tough battles that awaited in 2024.

There is no reason why a defense that features some of the best run defenders in DeShon Elliott and Elandon Roberts, as well as the generational veteran talent of T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, should give up almost 300 rushing yards to any NFL team—let alone a divisional rival in the playoffs.

The recipe for 2025 success is simple: if Tomlin stays, he needs to choose greatness over his loyalty to Austin.

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DeShon Elliott shares most embarrassing aspect of Steelers Wild-Card loss to Ravens

The Derrick Henry-led Ravens’ ground game dominated the Steelers’ defense, with DeShon Elliott’s frustration telling the story.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Baltimore Ravens’ running game dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense in the Wild-Card matchup.

Fans of the Black and Gold could only look away from the onslaught delivered by Ravens RB Derrick Henry and QB Lamar Jackson on the ground. With 186 rushing yards from Henry and 81 from Jackson, one of the Steelers’ best defenders against the run, S DeShon Elliott, was less than thrilled with the team’s performance.

With the Steelers only one yard away from giving up 300 rushing yards to the Ravens, Elliott expressed his frustration in post-game comments, emphasizing how embarrassing the defensive showing was:

“We had a couple stops but not enough. Twenty-eight points on the defense like that, and almost 300 yards rushing—having 300 yards rushing on you is worse than having 300 yards passing.”

Elliott was arguably the team’s defensive MVP in 2024, and he will undoubtedly aim to bounce back in a major way when the Steelers face the Ravens again in 2025.

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Top photos from Ravens 28-14 win over the Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

The Ravens are peaking at the right time and look like the most complete team in the AFC after a 28-14 win over the rival Steelers on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore will now wait for Sunday afternoon’s conclusion of the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Denver Broncos. If the Bills win, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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Ravens advance to AFC Divisional Round with 28-14 win over Steelers

Baltimore Ravens advance to AFC Divisional Round with 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Wild Card game

The journey isn’t complete, but the Ravens avoided embarrassment and moved onto the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs with a convincing 28-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson was 16-21 passing for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and a 132.0 rating. Jackson rushed 15 times for 81 yards, while Derrick Henry carried the night, logging 186 yards on 26 rushing attempts and two touchdowns.

Baltimore’s defense held Pittsburgh to 280 yards of offense, with just 29 yards rushing on the ground. Najee Harris finished with six carries for 17 yards, and Jaylen Warren had two for six yards on the night. The Steelers had the football for just 20:27.

Baltimore will now wait for the conclusion of the Buffalo Bills matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon.

If the Bills win on Sunday, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 21-0 lead over Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 21-0 lead over Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Like a Samantha Pollino Broadway Performance, the Ravens were flawless in the first half and looked like a Super Bowl favorite, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead.

After holding Pittsburgh to a three and out, Baltimore navigated a 13-play, 95-yard drive that ate almost 8 minutes of clock to put the Ravens on the board, 7-0. The Ravens dominated offensively and ended the first half with a 21-0 lead.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Is dissention brewing among the Steelers players?

Several Steelers players questioned the team’s effort after Wednesday’s loss including Calvin Austin III.

There’s nothing like a three-game losing streak to bring out the ugliest parts of an NFL roster. On Christmas Day, the Pittsburgh Steelers laid down and got blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs to fall to 10-5 on the season and lost the lead in the AFC North.

This prompted multiple players to air their discontent publicly when they addressed the media after the game. We already talked about safety DeShon Elliott calling out his defensive teammates for not doing their job and we heard Cameron Heyward say something similar.

The offense wasn’t immune from public criticism on Wednesday night. Wide receiver Calvin Austin III aired his issues with his teammates as well,

“It’s more frustrating when you give it to them almost and you don’t put up a winning effort,” Austin said. This felt less like a personal call-out like what Elliott and Heyward did but it still calls into question how hard the Steelers played.

Now the Steelers have a mini bye week to try to right the ship and get everyone on the same page before they wrap up the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Steelers S DeShon Elliott calls out teammates on defense`

According to DeShon Elliott, some of his teammates aren’t doing their jobs.

On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs proved to be the third straight team to expose the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. In particular the secondary. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for an easy 320 yards as Chiefs receivers and tight ends ran free against the Steelers defense.

After the team’s 29-10 loss to Kansas City, all the talk was about issues with communication on defense. Strong safety DeShon Elliott, who returned from missing two weeks with injury wasn’t hearing the excuses and called out his teammates for not doing their jobs.

“We communicated, guys just weren’t doing their freaking job,” Elliott said.

If this is the case, the responsibility for at least some of this has to fall at the feet of defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. For whatever reason, Austin seems to avoid criticism despite struggling with the most expensive defense in the NFL.

Austin’s group has one more shot to get things right before the start of the playoffs and that’s against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 18.

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Steelers fans blame Mike Tomlin for end-of-season struggles

Steelers fans turn to blaming Mike Tomlin as injuries and back-to-back losses spark frustration during a pivotal stretch of the season.

Well, the ‘Mike Tomlin for Coach of the Year’ party lasted longer than many assumed it would.

Fans of the Black and Gold are bewildered as the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost their past two contests to the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, falling to 10-5 on the season. As Steelers fans understandably attempt to make sense of this frustrating situation, they have resorted to the familiar tactic of blaming Tomlin.

Although the Steelers head coach is currently dealing with a plethora of injured players—during one of the most difficult 10-day stretches any team has faced in the Super Bowl era—fans continue to point fingers in the wrong direction.

No, it isn’t Tomlin’s fault that the Steelers—who are missing arguably their biggest offensive threat in George Pickens and their best run defender in DeShon Elliott—lost two road games to two Super Bowl contenders. However, Tomlin’s playoff record and questionable decision-making have fans in a frenzy on social media.

Nevertheless, here are some of the most passionate reactions to HC Mike Tomlin and the Steelers’ struggles over the past two weeks.

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