Steelers sign safety DeShon Elliott to 3-year, $15.5 million contract

The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a new contract with one of their core defensive players, but it wasn’t the decorated All-Pro outside linebacker.

Strong safety DeShon Elliott agreed to a three-year, $15.5 million contract Monday night, per a league source. Elliott’s new contract includes $9.21 million in guaranteed salary.

The Steelers are trying to get outside linebacker T.J. Watt under contract before the start of training camp, which begins after players report July 23.

Elliott, 28, was entering the last year of his two-year, $6 million contract he signed in the 2024 offseason. He was scheduled to earn $3 million in base salary this year and count $3.75 million against the salary cap. The extension covers the 2026-27 seasons and likely provides a marginally lower 2025 cap hit.

In a message posted to his Instagram account Tuesday, Elliott thanked the ownership group led by president Art Rooney II, coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan.

“Grateful to the Rooney family, Omar Khan and Coach Tomlin for bringing me to Pittsburgh and giving me a home,” Elliott wrote. “Thankful to be extended for two more years to play for the best organization and in front of the best fans in the NFL.”

In his first season with the Steelers, Elliott had one of his best years in the NFL. A six-year veteran, he started 14 of the 15 games he played last season, and he totaled 108 tackles, including 72 solo stops.

Elliott also had one interception, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin used Elliott at a variety of spots in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, Elliott played 193 snaps at free safety, 267 at slot corner and 355 in the box at strong safety.

“I feel like I’m an interchangeable part, that I can play anywhere,” Elliott said during OTAs. “It’s being able to play free and be myself. That’s the biggest thing. If I’m being myself, that’s the best version of myself.”

Elliott was bothered by a hamstring late in the season and did not start the losses to Philadelphia and Baltimore in December. He returned for the final two games of the season and started the wild-card playoff loss to the Ravens.

Elliott was critical of the team’s play after his return when the Steelers dropped a 29-10 decision against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas. He said the Steelers left too many players “wide open” and added, “We shouldn’t be having these problems in Week 18. That’s a Week 1 or Week 2 problem.”

Elliott said last month that it’s in his nature to take such losses personally.

“I’m a (ticked) off individual, so it’s all the same to me,” he said. “It’s a new season. We know what our goals are as a defense and as a team.”

Prior to his injury, Elliott had 11 tackles in a win against Cincinnati and 13 stops in a victory against Cleveland that improved the Steelers’ record to 10-3.

A sixth-round pick of the Ravens in 2018, Elliott spent his first three seasons in Baltimore. He was with the Detroit Lions in 2022 and the Miami Dolphins in 2023 before joining the Steelers.