Steelers' DeShon Elliott Played A Special Role In Joey Porter Jr's Development

The Pittsburgh Steelers did a great job during an extremely busy offseason to quickly fill voids on their roster ahead of the 2026 regular season. The team was also praised highly nationally for the moves that were made and the work done by General Manager Omar Khan and company. As the team keeps getting closer to the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, PA, star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. spoke highly of the return of one player on The Blueprint Podcast. 

DeShon Elliott, who had sustained a knee injury in Week 8 of the 2025 season, will rejoin the Black and Gold on the field in the 2026 season at safety. It was rumored that Elliott was working toward a return during the playoffs in Pittsburgh, but the first-round exit against the Houston Texans did not allow for that to happen. However, with him battling back that quickly from a knee injury that was considered serious, he will be back on the field in the Steel City sooner rather than later. Given Porter's comments on the podcast, it is safe to say he is excited to have Elliott back with him in the secondary.

"Bro, that's my dog," Porter said. "Like, we bumped heads so many times. Like just 'cause we want the best out of each other and he wants the best out of me. He really took me under his wing in the sense of just like being a leader in the NFL because it's different than trying to be a leader in college."

Elliott received a two-year extension by the organization following a strong 2024 campaign for Pittsburgh. The deal, which was for $12.5 million, was added onto his existing 2025 contract. It will also keep him signed by the organization through the 2027 season. Elliott's 2024 season that earned him that extension was very productive, as he recorded 108 total tackles, two forced fumbles and four tackles for loss.

Elliott is set to return to a Pittsburgh secondary which will also include safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Jamel Dean, two of the strong free agent acquisitions made by the organization in the 2026 offseason. It will also be their first year under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Graham joins the new coaching staff in the Steel City following four years with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he did some great work.

Steelers Have Leaders On And Off Field In 2026

The organization heads into 2026 with a new head coach for the first time in almost two decades with Mike McCarthy taking the reigns for the Black and Gold. The team has leaders both on and off the field for the 2026 NFL season, and with Graham's great work in Las Vegas, specifically in the 2023 season, the defense has an upward trajectory in Pittsburgh. The Raiders were almost last in the league in points allowed in 2022, but Graham quickly changed that, as they jumped up to ninth overall in 2023. Graham now takes over a defense that has many pieces to work with both in the secondary and up front for the 2026 season.

While he will have a secondary specifically with Porter, who gets someone he has high praise for in Elliott back on the field, he also gets to work with a strong front in Pittsburgh. It was recently reported that the team would like to keep its three-headed monster of edge rushers in tact in TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. While Watt is highly experienced, Herbig had a breakout 2025 season and could turn out to be another leader on defense.

While there is still a lot to play out ahead of the 2026 season in Pittsburgh, it appears many players are excited for what is to come. For Porter, he gets a mentor back in Elliott, as well as a strong defensive coordinator in Graham taking over the unit. While it remains to be seen if that will translate to on-field success, Porter seems anxious to get back after it in 2026 following a strong 2025 season.

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