After an offseason that saw the Steelers lose the likes of outside linebacker Bud Dupree, inside linebacker Vince Williams and cornerbacks Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson, the Steelers’ defense might look a little different on Sunday, at least on paper.
In steps young pass rusher Alex Highsmith to replace Dupree, while the Steelers traded for Joe Schobert to replace Williams and made a late move to acquire Akhello Witherspoon to provide depth at cornerback. That doesn’t even touch on the signing of veteran pass rusher Melvin Ingram to provide depth on the edge behind T.J. Watt and Highsmith, nor does it touch on the offseason Stephon Tuitt has sadly found himself going through, eventually landing on injured reserve to start the season, elevating Chris Wormley into a starting role.