Steelers' Mike Tomlin Has Clearly Learned From 2023 Mishaps As He Constructs Strong Reunions

The Pittsburgh Steelers limped into the postseason in 2023, and quickly got bounced out after losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round. The defense was torn to shreds thanks to injury, and the Steelers were starting multiple guys who had spent time on a practice squad throughout the year. Health is one of the most crucial parts of the NFL season, in turn making depth an important part of constructing a roster. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is already working on building up his depth after just one week of the regular season.

The Steelers' defense was ravaged by the injury bug in the second half of the 2023 season. Both Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander both suffered season-ending injuries, as did Keanu Neal. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Heyward were on and off the injury report all season long, and Damontae Kazee was suspended for the last stretch of games to end the regular season. This resulted in practice squad guys like Myles Jack and Eric Rowe being elevated during crucial games. They played their best, but the situation obviously wasn't ideal.

Pittsburgh brought back Terrell Edmunds after signing him off of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on Sunday. He probably won't play a ton, but provides the Steelers with experienced depth. Tomlin was asked about this during his press conference on Tuesday. 

"It's a guy that knows us. A guy that we know. During the course of this thing, particularly at this stage of the journey, you can't have enough of those scenarios. Might not be a significant need right now, but that might be a different scenario a few weeks from now. And that's really in the same spirit that we did business with Cam Sutton, if you will. We got guys that we know fit, that understand this environment, that we know are capable of helping us."

It was a controversial signing when the Steelers decided to bring back Cam Sutton, mainly due to his off-the-field issues that have him suspended for the first eight games of the season. However, there is something to be said about players knowing their system and knowing the players they are playing with. 

Although neither Edmunds nor Sutton will be starters in Pittsburgh, they were at one point. The two played together for five seasons from 2018 through 2022, and they played with Fitzpatrick from 2019 through 2022. Those three guys have a ton of experience together, and if the Steelers are struck by injuries in the same way they were in 2023, they should be able to rely on Sutton and Edmunds to step back on the field and be able to produce.

Edmunds wasn't the most-loved player during his first stint with the Steelers. He was still a very serviceable player, but he never lived up to his first-round label. He had his lapses in coverage, but was an extremely efficient tackler for Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh didn't pick up his fifth-year option, but they did sign him to a new one-year deal after the 2021 season.

Steelers' New Additions Bring Off-The-Field Value

Pittsburgh has the best secondary they have had over the last decade or so, but they are young and inexperienced in some areas. This is where the two veterans can assist. Sutton of course is still suspended, but when he comes back, he will be able to assist Beanie Bishop Jr. and mentor him as he continues his rookie season. Edmunds will be able to help as well, as he has five years of starting experience in Pittsburgh.

What do you think of the Steelers having a bit of a reunion on the defensive side of the ball? Are you happy Edmunds and Sutton are back? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation