Halicke: Secondary, defense will be the priority in free agency, draft

Cam Sutton intercepts a pass during the Steelers' Week 1 victory over the Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinncati.The Super Bowl is over. The Scouting Combine is next on the docket, but free agency begins shortly afterward.

The Steelers have a few priorities to shore up if this team is to improve on the 9-8 finish in 2022. And, most of that attention will focus on the defensive side of the ball.

At $104.8 million, the Steelers had the NFL's highest-paid defense in 2022. And, after a season in which the defense ranked 10th in points allowed per game and 13th in yards allowed per game, many might rightfully question how well the team's funds are being allocated when the offense was lacking…