If you look at the Steelers’ history, so many of the legendary players who have come through Pittsburgh played on the defensive side of the ball. During the most dominant stretch of the team’s history, the iconic part of the team was the defense known as the Steel Curtain.
Great defense (and great defensive players) is a part of the Steelers’ DNA. That even continues in 2024. Per Spotrac, the Steelers spent the most money in the NFL on the defensive side of the ball in 2024 at $127.75 million. That was nearly $20 million more than the team in second, the Green Bay Packers.