Locked On: Can Steelers Have an Elite Secondary in 2023?

The Steelers secondary has plenty of new faces for the 2023 season. With Cam Sutton, Arthur Maulet, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Terrell Edmunds out the door, the newcomers in Patrick Peterson, Joey Porter Jr., Chandon Sullivan, Cory Trice, and Keanu Neal have plenty of work to do in order to fully acclimate themselves. So, do the Steelers expect some hiccups?

Well, it appears that Peterson and Fitzpatrick are stepping up as leaders to make sure the bumps in the road are as small as possible. The new additions could lead to some coverage busts early on. However, it could lead to even more exciting possibilities for what they can do in the secondary.

The big question that will remain is how they slot those pieces together. Who is the dimebacker? Does Peterson play a lot of the slot? Or could they have a more versatile, free-moving plan that will be implemented further down the line rather than this early in OTAs. As a ball-hawking unit, the turnovers should be there, but the concerns for breakdowns early on could be a question.

Nick Farabaugh of Steelers Now joined Chris Carter of the Locked On Steelers podcast to discuss the new look secondary, and how it all might gel together over time with savvy veterans on the back end.

Plus, Farabaugh and Carter break down George Pickens’ absurd first year and some eyepopping stats that stick out about him, and why the Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren talk has gotten a bit out of hand considering some circumstances that are being ignored from last season.