When you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers, you think of defense. Pittsburgh spends the most of any team on defense compared to the offense and lean heavily on it when the offense struggles. In 2025 there should be multiple new starters on defense including at least one player at each level. Meanwhile the Steelers offense is once again in a serious state of change, so the pressure if once again on this side of the football.

Which positional units are improved and which aren’t for the upcoming season?

Defensive line

We saw the Steelers defensive line start to run out of gas last season, particularly against the run. The front office addressed this hard with the additions of Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black in the 2025 NFL draft. This group is definitely better not only among the starters but also at depth.

Outside linebacker

It’s crazy to think a group consisting of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig could be improved but it is. Pittsburgh got a huge draft steal with Jack Sawyer who gives the Steelers a legitimate fourth edge defender who can start.

Insider linebacker

Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson were good last season. Both should be better this season. You add in Malik Harrison and Cole Holcomb and this group isn’t just better but might be the best four-man rotation in the NFL.

Cornerback

This big moves this offseason at cornerback were the loss of Donte Jackson and the addition of his replacement, Darius Slay. We don’t hate Slay as a player but we can’t say this group as a unit is better than last season’s roster.

Safety

We will continue to cheer for Minkah Fitzpatrick to get out of this two-year slump. However, the addition of Juan Thornhill to replace Damontae Kazee makes this group as a whole better, especially if Sebastian Castro can make the team.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Which Steelers defensive positional units are improved in 2025?