Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II recently spoke with the media, and one of the topics he discussed was the team’s defensive line. Rooney II acknowledged that the Steelers need to inject some young blood into the defensive line, which has been a concern for the team in recent years.
“I think we need some young blood along the defensive line,” Rooney II said. “We’ve got some veteran players who have been with us for a while, and while they’ve been great players for us, we need to start thinking about the future and bringing in some younger players who can help us build for the long term.”
The Steelers’ defensive line has been a strength of the team in the past, but in recent years, it has begun to show its age. The team has struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and the defensive line has been vulnerable to injuries.
Rooney II’s comments suggest that the Steelers are planning to address the defensive line through the draft and free agency. The team has already started to make moves in this direction, signing defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to a one-year contract earlier this offseason.
The Steelers also have several young defensive linemen on their roster, including defensive end DeMarvin Leal and defensive tackle Isaiah Buggs. However, the team may still look to add more talent to the defensive line through the draft and free agency.
Possible Defensive Line Targets for the Steelers:
– _Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia_: Carter is one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Steelers may consider selecting him with their first-round pick.
– _Will Anderson Jr., DE, Alabama_: Anderson is a dominant pass rusher who could provide the Steelers with the kind of edge presence they’ve been missing in recent years.
– _Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson_: Bresee is a talented defensive tackle who could provide the Steelers with some much-needed depth along the defensive line.
_What’s Next for the Steelers:_
– The Steelers will likely continue to evaluate defensive line prospects in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft.
– The team may also look to sign additional defensive linemen in free agency to bolster their depth along the defensive line.
– The Steelers’ coaching staff will work with the team’s young defensive linemen to help them develop and improve their skills.
Overall, Art Rooney II’s comments suggest that the Steelers are committed to rebuilding their defensive line and injecting some young blood into the unit. The team will likely use a combination of the draft and free agency to address this need and build a stronger, more dominant defensive line.
