Steelers' Nickel Defense vs Run Patrick Graham's Biggest Challenge to Return Defense to Elite Status

Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast. The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is going to have to be prepared to stuff the run out of nickel formations more often in 2026. Can Patrick Graham make them one of the more elite units in that department joining the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams? Christopher Carter and Nick Farabaugh discuss the key elements of the defense that had worked in the past but must still improve. Will that come down more to Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton and the younger defensive linemen? Or to Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey, and the off-ball defenders who will need to fill the holes? Also, Chris and Nick take a caller's question on where certain depth chart battles might become problems for younger players' development. Could lower depth chart developmental players like Yahya Black, Daylen Everette, Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker see a setback with veterans like Sebastian Joseph-Day, Asante Samuel Jr., Dylan Cook and Brock Hoffman in the way?  CALL INTO THE SHOW AT 412-223-6644 or if international, e-mail your audio message to [email protected] Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques. Theme music is 'How Can I Lose' by Johnny Quest the Rebel, under his label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here. This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network. Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire, Katie Strahan, Mark J. Rebilas Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.