New Steelers Safety DeShon Elliott Issues Stern Warning To AFC North: 'If You Are Scared Of Being Physical Get Off The Field'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not made many moves in free agency, but they have made headlines by signing impact players to fill critical roster holes. Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin worked together to bring in Russell Wilson to upgrade the quarterback position. The Steelers also signed Patrick Queen to the largest free agent contract in team history. On Thursday, the Steelers inked DeShon Elliott to a two-year, $6 million contract to play safety in 2024. 

On Friday, Elliott met with the press in Pittsburgh for the first time as a Steelers player. The former Baltimore Ravens safety is no stranger to the city, and he could barely contain his excitement to join his former rival.

This will be Elliott's fourth NFL stop in six seasons. The former Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins safety is known as a brutal hitter. In 2023, Elliott made news with a massive collision involving Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. The resulting tackle caused Mahomes' helmet to shatter.

Elliott is a veteran of the Ravens and Steelers wars on the football field and the uniquely physical style of the AFC North. The newest member of the black and gold took his first opportunity in front of the Pittsburgh media to criticize the NFL's attempts to outlaw physicality. In true Steelers fashion, Elliott suggested that the faint of heart should tread lightly in a statement that would make James Harrison and Greg Lloyd proud. 

"I am excited. I think all four teams in the AFC North are physical teams," Elliot continued. "It's a brand of football a lot of the NFL doesn't have. It shows the culture, and it's part of my DNA. It's football, if you are scared of being physical, get off the field. They are trying to turn football into basketball on the grass. Not fixing to have that around here, I don't play those type of games, I really don't."

Pittsburgh has great defensive players, like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. What has been missing over the last few seasons is the element of villainy that great Steelers defenses of the past possessed. Elliott and Queen bring an edge to the unit that could be the catalyst to make them a historically great defense in 2024.

The Steelers' offense with Arthur Smith and Wilson is getting a lot of attention. However, the trades of Diontae Johnson and now Kenny Pickett will put more pressure on the defensive unit. Pittsburgh is operating without a safety net at quarterback, and the receiver room is dangerously empty. Khan has a plan, but fans will be uneasy until the offensive puzzle is complete. 

Steelers' 2024 Defense Has Added A Missing Ingredient In Free Agency

The Steelers' defense has the potential to be the most intimidating unit Pittsburgh has put on the field in quite some time. Elliott and the rest of his cohorts have an opportunity to embrace the challenge from the great Steelers defenses of the past and dominate opponents. This recipe has worked before, but it will test the NFL's tolerance for that type of football in 2024. Fines and suspensions could easily follow the 2024 Pittsburgh defense, but if it results in a division title and playoff wins, then it is a price they will happily pay.