Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.
S DeShon Elliott
Experience/age: 6th year/Turned 27 in April
Contract status: $2.25 million cap hit for 2024. He is signed through 2025.
The past: Elliott signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Steelers in free agency that included a $1.5 million signing bonus. Elliott was brought aboard as a replacement for safety Keanu Neal, who was cut after ending last season on injured reserve.
Elliott will be with his fourth team in as many seasons. He joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 but didn’t get on the field until the following season. Elliott spent the next three seasons with the Ravens and started all 16 games of the 2020 season. Elliott was with the Detroit Lions in 2022, starting 13 games, and he returned to the AFC last season with Miami. Elliott started 15 games for the Dolphins, recorded his third career interception and set a career high with seven pass breakups.
#Steelers new safety DeShon Elliott ???? pic.twitter.com/1AgvAIAoM1
— Jeff Hartman (@JHartman_PIT) March 14, 2024
2024 outlook: Elliott will be paired with free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the base defense, and they could be joined by Damontae Kazee if the Steelers use a three-safety package.
Elliott was ranked as the NFL’s ninth-best run stopper at his position last year, according to Pro Football Focus. If Elliott can continue to be a thumper in the box, the Steelers can allow Fitzpatrick to return to his role roaming the secondary.
Elliott’s role in the defense wasn’t challenged in spring workouts, but he will take on added importance in the secondary following the release of safety Trenton Thompson, who played in six games last season with the Steelers.
