Defense wins championships!

It also closes out our 2020 NFL Draft coverage.

On Monday, I gave you a list of messages sent to Steelers offensive players directly from the coaching staff and the front office.

At least, that was my interpretation after the NFL Draft last weekend.

Today we look at the defensive side of the ball.

The messaging may not be as expansive. But it is every bit as obvious.

Bud Dupree: OK, Bud. We drafted Alex Highsmith so that we had at least one other backup besides Ola Adeniyi at outside linebacker.

He’s a third-rounder from Charlotte that used to be a walk-on. Ola wasn’t drafted at all.

See where we are going with this?

We needed depth at the position anyway. And if you leave after 2020, at least we have some bodies.

But, what do you say? Let’s hammer out a long-term deal that makes some sense and just let these guys be who they are, huh?

“We’ve always said it will always be our intention to try and get Bud signed to a long-term deal so he can finish his career here,” general manager Kevin Colbert said Saturday. “We have a very dynamic duo with Bud and T.J. (Watt), and I’d like to see that end together.”

Getting Highsmith makes it easier to end early.

That’s if you try to break the bank.

T.J. Watt: Don’t get hurt. Ever.

Vince Williams and Devin Bush: Guys, we didn’t draft a true inside linebacker to eat up Mark Barron’s snaps.

“Bince,” you keep saying you want more snaps in more situations. Well, here you go.

Devin, time to go from “being good for a rookie” to being really good.

Cornerbacks: For the first time since … um … well … in a long, long time, we didn’t draft or sign a cornerback of relevance in Pittsburgh.

What in the name of Mel Blount is going on around here?!

Joe Haden, c’mon, man. Give us at least one more really good, healthy year.

Steven Nelson, prove that 2019 wasn’t a “one-year wonder” type of season.

Mike Hilton, thumbs up, dude! We’ll get you your money. Someday. Eventually.

Cam Sutton, just keep reading all of our quotes in those training camp stories about how much we like you and value your skills. They are all true. Maybe someday we’ll get around to doing something about it.

Dan McCullers: Is he still here? Geez! Tell him to do … something! He knows Javon Hargrave went to Philly, right?

Do we really HAVE to play him now?

Tyson Alualu: So, Tyson, about nose tackle in the base here and there …

Isaiah Buggs: We just drafted you. Again. For the second year in a row.

Just one round later this time. Seventh-round pick Carlos Davis can become irrelevant. For now.

Or you can. Make us choose.

All the safeties not named Minkah Fitzpatrick: Listen fellas, remember Morgan Burnett?

I know, I know. We’ve been trying to forget him, too. But play along.

He wasn’t the right player. But that was the right idea.

Safeties who can play like inside linebackers. We wanted him to do it with smarts. Now we want you to do it with athleticism.

Terrell Edmunds, Marcus Allen, Jordan Dangerfield and … you … new guy. “Maryland Part Two.” What’s your name?

Oh, yeah. Antoine Brooks Jr.

“There’s a lot of guys in today’s game that fit that bill, and it becomes easier and easier to forecast those capabilities because you see them do it on the college field,” Mike Tomlin said Saturday evening. “We’re excited about (Brooks) as a safety. We’re excited about him as a sub-package player. We’re excited about maybe what he could bring to us as a special teamer, as well. That 220-pound body is a very useful body in today’s game for the reasons that we’ve been talking about.”

All you guys are going to have to do … that. Whoever does it best, gets the most playing time.

Keith Butler: Go tell your guys to get 38 takeaways and 54 sacks again.

Got it? Good.

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