Presence of newcomers Donte Jackson, DeShon Elliott felt all over Steelers secondary

For the Pittsburgh Steelers to have Joey Porter shadow the opposing team’s top wide receiver, they need a dependable cornerback to cover the other side of the field.

They believe they have that player in Donte Jackson.

For the Steelers to allow Minkah Fitzpatrick to return to his free-wheeling nature at free safety, they need a capable strong safety to play closer to the line of scrimmage.

They believe they have that player in DeShon Elliott.

Jackson and Elliott were two of the biggest additions — along with inside linebacker Patrick Queen — on defense this offseason. And with the Steelers off to a 2-0 start heading into their matchup Sunday against the 2-0 Los Angeles Chargers, their contributions have been as evident as leaves falling from the trees in autumn.

The Steelers head into the game having allowed the second-fewest points — the Chargers rank first — and they have permitted the fifth-fewest yards. The play from the newcomers on the back end is one of the reasons for the defense’s hot start and why the Steelers are tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions and tied for the most pass breakups with 11.

Elliott and Jackson had interceptions in the season-opening win at Atlanta. Elliott led the team in tackles and had an impressive third-down stop on running back Javonte Williams in the 13-6 victory at Denver.

Pretty seamless, right?

“I’m not going to say there haven’t been any issues,” Jackson said. “There were growing pains in OTAs and camp and even now we’re still getting used to things. You search for things to grow at and to learn from. There has been a learning curve, but it hasn’t taken that long.

“One, I’m a veteran player so I’ve played in a lot of defenses. Two, you go with the pack. If you see these guys put the work in every single day, you come in and do the same.”

Jackson said the transition has been eased because of All-Pros Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Fitzpatrick.

“Being around this group, these type of guys, every single day it’s a battle of the greats,” he said. “It raises the floor. Being the new guy, I want to come in and do my part and make plays.”

Seeking to add speed to the secondary and upgrade a group that relied on Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace last year, the Steelers gave up wide receiver Diontae Johnson so they could acquire Jackson from the Carolina Panthers. In six seasons with the Panthers, Jackson never appeared in a playoff game, and he became expendable after not collecting a single interception last year in 16 starts.

Jackson immediately paid dividends with his interception late in the Steelers’ 18-10 victory against the Falcons.

“Since Day 1, he’s been very vocal,” Porter said. “He’s been a great asset for our team, and he’s always helping me. If I have questions, I’m going to him for the answer.”

In the first two games, Porter drew the assignment of covering Atlanta’s Drake London and Denver’s Courtland Sutton, the top receiving threats on their respective teams. Porter allowed one reception to each receiver.

“That’s where Donte comes in,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “We think we do (have the right corner at the other spot), and we think that’s been a big proponent of our success so far, in terms of being able to move Joey but not losing anything on the other side.”

Jackson hasn’t minded ceding the spotlight to Porter.

“I feel like I’ve been a great playmaker in this league,” he said. “I get a chance to get a fresh start. This brings out the best of you, this environment.”

Elliott also has benefited from a change of scenery. After spending his first three seasons in Baltimore, Elliott went to Detroit in 2022 and Miami last year before joining the Steelers in free agency on a two-year contract.

“I like the AFC North because it’s physical football,” Elliott said. “It’s not that pansy stuff around the league. It’s pretty cool, I like being here.”

Elliott hasn’t been afraid to mix it up. He ranks second on the team in tackles, and his third-down stop of Williams for a 4-yard loss was one of the big defensive plays against the Broncos.

“He’s done a really nice job,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s new to us but not unfamiliar to us. We saw a lot of tape on him when he was in the AFC North in Baltimore. Always appreciated (his contributions). It’s proven to be very evident over the course of the two weeks, he’s made quite a few plays, not to mention splash plays — interceptions, tackles for loss on third-and-1, those weighty plays that shape football games.

“I’m excited for him and really excited about continuing to utilize his talents as we get to know him more.”

Elliott’s presence has helped the Steelers use Fitzpatrick the way they did after acquiring him in 2019, last year notwithstanding.

Given the spate of injuries in the secondary last year, plus the late three-game suspension to Damontae Kazee, Fitzpatrick was unable to freestyle at free safety. He was needed to plug leaks elsewhere, taking more than half of his defensive snaps in the slot and in the box. In fact, just 41.3% of Fitzpatrick’s snaps last year came at free safety, which contributed to his lack of big plays.

After leading the NFL with six interceptions in 2022, Fitzpatrick had none last season.

Fitzpatrick still hasn’t factored into a turnover this season and leads the team in tackles, but he’s doing it from his more customary spot. He has played all but five of his 117 snaps at his natural position.

“That’s where we want him,” Austin said. “That’s where he’s effective, that’s where he’s dangerous. I think the thing that’s good about Minkah back there is people can say what they want, but I think he discourages sometimes where the quarterback says, ‘I’m just going to indiscriminately throw this ball down the field.’

“Because if they do that with (No.) 39, there’s a chance he’s bringing it back the other way. As long as he’s doing that for us, we feel like we’re in pretty good shape as a defense.”

Elliott isn’t surprised that he and Jackson have fit so seamlessly into the defense.

“We’re vets, we’ve played football for a while,” he said. “You try your best to get the playbook down, do what you do and play within the system. If you can do that, you should be able to play at a high level.”

Adding two experienced pieces to the secondary in Elliott and Jackson has afforded Austin the luxury of taking chances on the back end and disguising his coverages.

“I know we’re getting some new guys in here, but we also have some guys who have played some good football — a lot of football — together,” Austin said. “They have a really good feel for each other and how to work together.”