It’s hard to look back at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2019 season and see just one thing. In some ways, it was a dismal failure. In others, it was a rousing success. The rise of the defense in particular was a remarkable thing to see unfold, and offers encouragement for 2020 and beyond, with at least most of the pieces remaining in place.
While the continued emergence of the Steelers’ edge-rushing duo of T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, who combined for 26 sacks this season, was a huge part of it, so was the fact that they were finally able to cobble together a quality pair of starting cornerbacks in veteran Joe Haden and free agent signing Steven Nelson, the two combining for six interceptions this year.