Steelers' Nickel Defense vs Run Patrick Graham's Biggest Challenge to Return Defense to Elite Status

Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is going to have to be prepared to stuff the run out of nickel formations more often in 2026. Can Patrick Graham make them one of the more elite units in that department joining the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams? Christopher Carter and Nick Farabaugh discuss the key elements of the defense that had worked in the past but must still improve. Will that come down more to Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton and the younger defensive linemen? Or to Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey, and the off-ball defenders who will need to fill the holes? Also, Chris and Nick take a caller's question on where certain depth chart battles might become problems for younger players' development. Could lower depth chart developmental players like Yahya Black, Daylen Everette, Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker see a setback with veterans like Sebastian Joseph-Day, Asante Samuel Jr., Dylan Cook and Brock Hoffman in the way? 

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Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques.

Theme music is 'How Can I Lose' by Johnny Quest the Rebel, under his label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here.

This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire, Katie Strahan, Mark J. Rebilas

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