The Pittsburgh Steelers defense has begun to round into from the last few weeks.  So much so they look like a dominant force that could help this team break their drought in the playoffs.  With such lofty expectations, this got us wondering how this defense ranked among some of the better groups of the last decade.  More specifically, how do they match up versus the team’s 2019 defense.

A refresher on how good 2019 actually was:

The 2019 Steelers defense is generally regarded as the best unit of the last decade.  This is a group that nearly single hand-idly dragged the team to the playoffs, despite a woeful offense.  Remembering back, this is the season Ben Roethlisberger was injured in the second game of the season.  The now infamous Minkah Fitzpatrick trade was made a week later, turning a pretty pedestrian defense into one of the best in the league. By doing this it cost the Steelers an almost certain top ten pick, but made the defense nearly unstoppable. The Steelers got Minkah Fitzpatrick, but it cost them Justin Herbert

Pittsburgh’s 2019 defense was incredible. They led the league averaging less than 19 points per game.  They had 54 sacks, 20 interceptions, 22 forced fumbles, and led the NFL  in yards per play allowed.  All this despite an offense who did nothing to help out their counterparts.  The Steelers offense was bottom five in points per game, and time of possession in 2019.  Making what the defense accomplished all the mire impressive.

The starting eleven in 2019 was extremely impressive looking back. Starting up front they had Cam Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, and a prime Javon Hargrave.  The outside linebackers consisted of TJ Watt, and Bud Dupree who had a career year that season.  Inside linebacker consisted of a solid Vince Williams, and rookie Devin Bush who led the team in tackles with 109 including 9TFLs and 2 interceptions.

Rounding out the defense, the secondary was a solid unit.  Joe Haden and Steven Nelson were as good a corner tandem as this team has had this century.  The safeties consisted of Minkah Fitzpatrick in his best season as a pro.  That year he had five interceptions, 9 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles.  Paired with him was Terrell Edmunds who also had his best season as a pro.  He was second on the team with 105 tackles from the safety position.

The Comparison:

Fast forward to 2025, and this defense stacks up fairly well to that group.  The defensive line may not be as talented, but it is certainly deeper.  The ongoing improvement of rookie Derrick Harmon makes this close.  At outside linebacker, you’d have to give the edge to 2019.  That versoin of TJ Watt gets a slight edge due to age.  On the other side where Bud Dupree separates himself is his run defense.  Dupree had 68 tackles, including 16 TFls to go along with his 11.5 sacks.  The combination of Nick Herbig, and Alex Highsmith makes it very close however.

Inside linebacker is also close.  Patrick Queen’s last few games have really been eye opening.  His 23 total tackles so far has him on a pace to come a tick under 100 tackles for the season.  Payton Wilson has been up and down in 2025.  The combination of Vince Willians and Devin Bush gets the edge at this point in the season.

The secondaries can be broken up into two units.  The 2025 corner position is certainly deeper, and the best player out of any is without question Jalen Ramsey.  Let’s not forget how good Mike Hilton was in the slot in 2019.  All things considered, this has to go to the 2025 squad. As good a player as Deshon Elliot has been this season, safety is a landslide for 2019.  Minkah Fitzpatrick was the best safety in football in 2019.  Combine that with Terrell Edmunds being the perfect compliment to Minkah, and that was far and away a better tandem.

At the end of the day it’s a big win for the present day Steelers defense that we are even having this debate.  Being compared to that great defense in 2019 is a compliment.  Whichever unit you think is better, the fact that they are close bodes really well for the current team.  Considering how much better this offense is than the one in 20019, one can easily expect a post season birth.  We may even be able to dream to expect some playoff success.  Imagine that.

Dont forget to subscribe to the Steelers Sanctuary YouTube Channelhttps://youtube.com/@steelerssanctuary1072?si=j9t38QKDpS221wP7 here: