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Grading the Steelers rollercoaster defense for the 2022 season

By Ryan Pawloski

Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Larry Ogunjobi #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers after a sack during the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Acrisure Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images)
Alex Highsmith #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Larry Ogunjobi #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers after a sack during the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Acrisure Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images) /
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Myles Jack #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the New England Patriots. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Myles Jack #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the New England Patriots. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Steelers inside linebacker grade: F

Perhaps the weakest point on the Steelers team was the inside linebacker position and it did not seem close. Devin Bush, Myles Jack, and Robert Spillane became public enemies number one through three from the fan’s perspective. They deserved a lot of the blame as the middle of this defense continues to get destroyed because the black and gold cannot find an answer at the position.

Bush started to show some signs of life this season, but there were only flashes in a pan of a couple of firecrackers. Myles Jack was not what the Steelers thought they signed in free agency, but he was probably the most consistent overall. Robert Spillane needs to be done with this team as he is constantly overplayed and outmatched.

Steelers cornerback grade: B-

The first half of the year was not kind to the cornerbacks of the Steelers. The group got routinely exposed and Ahkello Witherspoon did not have a great time as the top corner for this defense. Things got so bad that Pittsburgh traded for William Jackson III even though he had an injury that would keep him out of game action for the remainder of the season.

Cam Sutton was the steady force for this group, and he should be a top priority to re-sign this offseason. Arthur Maulet had a solid year when he was put into the right instances to succeed as he continues to be a good role player. Levi Wallace had a nice conclusion to the year after a slow start to his Pittsburgh career.

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