Alex Highsmith believes Steelers can be the best defense in the NFL

Though the Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing in some new pieces on the defensive side of the football, linebacker Alex Highsmith hasn’t changed his expectations for the team this upcoming season. He believes it can be the best unit in the league.

Pittsburgh has made some changes defensively during the offseason. The Steelers have added Patrick Peterson, Keanu Neal and Joey Porter Jr. in the secondary. In the linebacker room, Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are the new additions.

Sometimes, it takes time for units to jell. But Highsmith has a ton of faith in the defense entering the 2023 season.

“I know 100 percent we can be the best defense in the NFL, especially if we all stay healthy,” Highsmith said, per Steelers.com. “I am excited about the guys that we have. We have depth at almost every position. It’s been good seeing guys come together and get better and better every day. The sky is the limit for us. I am excited to see how we continue to grow.”

Despite a rocky start to the 2022 season, Pittsburgh scratched and clawed its way to a 9-8 record, remaining in the playoff hunt through the final week of the season. But the expectation for the Steelers is to be a postseason threat.

The offense might need some work, but Highsmith has no doubt the defense can live up to its end of the bargain.

Allen Robinson says Steelers have ‘grit’

On the other side of the football, new Steelers wide receiver Allen Robinson expressed a lot of confidence, as well. And though they’ll have to continue to fight with the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens in the division, Robinson believes his team is capable of accomplishing anything.

“It’s a great division. As a competitor, as a player, you want to line up against the best talent in the league each and every Sunday,” Robinson said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. “But I think when you have the group that we have, you have the character of guys in this locker room. When you have the grit, we’re looking forward to the challenge each and every Sunday.

“We’re making sure, even right now, today, as we go through the spring. As we’re mentally preparing ourselves for some [negative] thing that could happen during the season. I can already start to see the grit of this group forming.”

There’s still a lot of excitement and hope for the Steelers heading into 2023 — the product of the offseason. Will comments made by Highsmith and Robinson come to fruition when the first game kicks off?