They’ll be good, but can they be the best?

It doesn’t matter if the pads are on or off — the Steelers defense has been dominant in training camp so far in 2025.

Of course, it’s still not “real football.” But it reinforces projections for what’s already a defensive roster full of proven, elite players from top to bottom: T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, etc.

But can this group be the best of the best?

Can the Steelers defense be the best in the NFL in 2025?

Saying the Steelers will finish as a top-10 defense in 2025 — barring catastrophic injuries, of course — feels like a safe prediction. Can they finish in the top five? That’s a bit more bullish, but certainly within the realm of possibility.

But finishing as the very best feels like a stretch. The Steelers were in contention for that spot through the first half of 2024, but finishing the season with five straight losses (allowing 27-plus points in four of those games) ended things on an incredibly sour note.

The run defense fell apart against the Ravens in the Wild Card round, but the Steeler defense had been playing without fire for several weeks leading up to it.

Talent is not a question in Pittsburgh, but finishing seasons strong has been a recurring issue for the team. Meanwhile, other projected top defenses for 2025 such as the Eagles and Ravens ended 2024 playing their best football.

Plus, those two teams are expected to field better offenses than Pittsburgh will in 2025. Field position and ball control absolutely matter when it comes to succeeding on defense, and the Steelers have yet to prove they can consistently hold up in those areas of the game.

At the end of 2024, the Pittsburgh defense finished 12th-best in yards allowed, eighth in points allowed, and 10th in EPA per play. Not exactly elite numbers.

The Steelers’ age on defense bears repeating as well. While Pittsburgh’s depth across the board is impressive, groups with more young talent such as the aforementioned Eagles and Ravens — also the Texans and Broncos — might have better luck weathering the attrition of a full NFL season.

Meanwhile, the Steelers’ star core of Watt, Heyward, and Ramsey are all over 30 to start the season.

It’s the season of optimism and speculation — this Steelers defense is primed to be a fun one in 2025, but make sure to keep expectations in check.

The Steelers defense will finish as a top __ unit in 2025. Join the BTSC community and let us know your answer in the comments!