Where Steelers Rank Among NFL’s Top Defenses Entering 2025 Season

Even as the Pittsburgh Steelers add marquee pieces to the offense, defense could remain the team’s calling card in 2025.

Aaron Rodgers looks to lead Pittsburgh back to the playoffs behind a consistently stingy defense that’s finished 10th or better in points allowed in seven of the last nine seasons. Jalen Ramsey replaces Minkah Fitzpatrick in a unit that welcomes back stalwarts T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Alex Highsmith in 2025.

Earlier this week, NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice ranked the league’s top-10 defenses for the 2025 season. The Steelers barely made the cut at No. 10 in a list led by the Denver Broncos and including an AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens, at No. 3.

Filice wasn’t overly enthusiastic about ranking Pittsburgh.

“I spent a regrettable amount of time considering other teams for this final slot only to settle on Pittsburgh’s obligatory inclusion on this list,” Filice wrote. “The Steelers haven’t exactly set the league on fire since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, but the defense continues to drag this organization into the playoffs.”

Filice placed the Steelers 10th under the assumption that they settle their contract dispute with Watt. Their front seven should continue to terrorize offenses if the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year returns.

“With Watt as the centerpiece, Pittsburgh boasts one of the very best defensive lines in football,” Filice wrote. “Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig provide enviable edge-rushing depth, while Cam Heyward continues to stiff-arm Father Time on the interior. Add in second-year pro Keeanu Benton and rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon, and the Steelers are absolutely loaded up front.”

However, Filice said the secondary must repair last season’s “unacceptable amount of coverage busts.” The Steelers improved their cornerback situation by acquiring Ramsey and Darius Slay Jr., but Filice wondered about their safeties without Fitzpatrick despite calling DeShon Elliott one of the league’s “more underappreciated players.”

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