The 2010s were a rollercoaster ride of a decade for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. They started the decade as one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL. Towards the middle of the 2010s, Pittsburgh’s defense was really bad. The team would constantly lose in shootouts and would have won a Super Bowl with even a decent defense when their offense was at its peak. In 2019, the Steelers once again had a dominant defense and are trending in the right direction entering the 2020s. Here’s a closer look at the 2010s Pittsburgh Steelers all-defense team.
Check out our Steelers all-decade team on offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2010s All-Decade Defense
Defensive tackle: Steve McLendon
Pittsburgh was never really able to find a replacement for Casey Hampton at defensive tackle. But Steve McLendon did a decent job at the position in the earlier part of the decade. He played his first six NFL seasons with the Steelers, from 2010-2015. McLendon played in 79 games over the course of those six seasons with 32 starts. He developed into a good run-stuffing nose tackle and was more than serviceable as a pass rusher, too. McLendon moved on to the New York Jets in 2016 but made a noticeable impact during his time in the black and gold.
Defensive end: Cameron Heyward
No surprise here. One of the most underrated players in the NFL, Cameron Heyward has been nothing short of tremendous since being the Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 first-round pick. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and twice has been selected as a first-team All-Pro. Heyward is a five-time team captain and one of the best leaders and locker room guys on the team. His motor never seems to slow down, as he never gives up on a play and many times has chased running backs down from behind. Heyward is a dominant run-stuffer, and also has recorded eight sacks in each of the past three seasons. He is one of the top interior defensive linemen in the league, and was a no-brainer as a Steelers all-decade team selection.
Defensive end: Stephon Tuitt
Stephon Tuitt is a defensive end who is loaded with talent. He’s very hard to block with just one guy. Tuitt is like Heyward, an all-around player who contributes both against the run and the pass. His biggest (and only) problem to this point in his career is his ability to stay healthy. When he’s able to stay on the field, he has been great. 2018 was his best career season, but he was on pace to shatter that season’s production before being injured six games into the season. A former second-round pick, Tuitt’s skillset and production have made him more than worth the investment. There’s a reason the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to a huge extension prior to the 2017 season; they know the player he can be. Tuitt and Heyward are one of the best defensive end duos in the NFL.
Honorable mention: Brett Keisel
Inside Linebacker: Ryan Shazier
What a sad story this is. Ryan Shazier was becoming one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL before suffering his likely career-ending spinal injury in 2017. His skill set was so unique and he used it very well. Shazier ran a 4.56 40-yard dash and had a 42-inch vertical jump at the Combine, making him a freak athlete for the position. As he developed, Shazier became even faster. It was very common to see him outrun wide receivers and running backs in the open field. Along with his elite athleticism, Shazier was a hard-hitter too. And he could cover tight ends and running backs well, something Pittsburgh hasn’t seen at the position since his injury. Shazier was a truly special player and it was a major heartbreak to see his career get cut short.
Inside Linebacker: Lawrence Timmons
Lawrence Timmons is a very underappreciated player in recent Pittsburgh Steelers history. He spent 10 seasons in Pittsburgh and played in 158 of a possible 160 games. Timmons had even seasons in the 2010s with the Steelers. He played all 112 games in those six years and started 111 of them. Even better, he played 100 percent of Pittsburgh’s snaps in two seasons and 99 percent in another season. In those seven seasons, Timmons led Pittsburgh in tackles five times, and was second the other two seasons. Lawrence Timmons was as reliable as they came at the middle linebacker position. He was always available, a sure tackler, and an all-around solid linebacker for the Steelers.
Outside Linebacker: James Harrison
Though his best work came in the previous decade, James Harrison still had good years in the 2010s for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was twice selected to the Pro Bowl (2010 and 2011) and was also a first-team All-Pro in 2011. Harrison totaled 42 sacks for the team last decade over the span of 86 games. James Harrison was one of the most terrifying pass rushers in the NFL at his best. His best years were in the 2000s, but he’s still an easy selection for this list. He was a fan favorite, a dominant force, and a team leader. Even though he left on bad terms, Harrison still supports the team and no one should have any objection to him being on this list.
Outside Linebacker: T.J. Watt
Sure, he’s only three seasons into what will end up being a great NFL career. But T.J. Watt has been so good over the past three years that he finds himself on this all-decade team. After being a first-round selection in 2017, Watt entered the league with high expectations (partially due to his last name). So far, he has not disappointed. He has recorded 34.5 sacks, 70 quarterback hits, and 15 forced fumbles in three seasons. Watt’s absurd athleticism and speed for the position make him a tough matchup for opposing tackles. He is already a two-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro last year. Though he came in third place, Watt had a serious case to be the defensive player of the year in 2019. For the 2020s, we might be talking about Watt on the NFL’s official all-decade team. For now, he still makes the Pittsburgh Steelers 2010s team.
Honorable mention: LaMarr Woodley
Cornerback: Joe Haden
Here’s another selection to the team based on just three seasons in the Black and Gold. After coming over to the Steelers from the Cleveland Browns, Joe Haden has really turned his career around and is once again an elite cornerback. Since joining the team in 2017, Haden has racked up eight interceptions in 42 games played. He has also defended 36 passes. In 2018 and 2019, Haden allowed completion percentages of 50.5 and 53.7 when targeted, respectively. Opposing quarterbacks had passer ratings of 72.0 and 66.5 when targeting Haden in the same seasons. His 2019 campaign was good enough to earn Haden a third career Pro Bowl selection. Since Haden was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has completely outperformed expectations and deserves a spot on this list.
Cornerback: Ike Taylor
Though he wasn’t at his peak anymore, Ike Taylor was still a very good cornerback in the early part of the decade. In fact, Taylor was the last true lockdown corner that the Steelers had until they were able to sign Haden. If he didn’t flash his stone hands a little too often, it’s hard to say how many more interceptions Taylor would have racked up over the years. His speed and swagger made him such a fun player to watch. Unfortunately, the first thing that many people associate with Ike Taylor is the Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas play in the playoffs. That was a big letdown, as were the numerous dropped interceptions. But nonetheless, Ike Taylor finds himself on the list. His numbers won’t blow anyone away, but numbers don’t tell the whole story, especially for defensive backs.
Honorable mention: William Gay. If you value longevity or numbers over level of play, Gay would make the team over either of the two selections.
Free Safety: Ryan Clark
During his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ryan Clark developed into a very good free safety. He totaled seven interceptions last decade with the Steelers and earned his only career Pro Bowl selection in 2011. Clark was loved by Steelers fans for the attitude that he played with. He was never afraid to get his hands dirty, and risk his own safety to deliver a big hit or make a play. Clark was a huge hitter and had good range to make plays on the ball. He formed a top-notch safety combination with the next guy on our list.
Honorable mention: Mike Mitchell, Minkah Fitzpatrick (yeah he has less than a full season in Pittsburgh, but Fitzpatrick is already a better player than Clark and Mitchell were with the Steelers)
Strong Safety: Troy Polamalu
What a joy it was to watch Troy Polamalu play football. The 2020 Hall of Fame inductee has a real argument as the best safety in NFL history. His instincts are unmatched and his highlight film is full of jaw-dropping plays. Last decade, Polamalu was a three-time Pro Bowler and was a first-team All-Pro selection twice. In 2010, he was voted the NFL’s defensive player of the year. There’s so much to say about Troy Polamalu’s career that it would take a separate article. He has made too many incredible plays to name. He’s one of the best players in Pittsburgh Steelers history, and his selection as a first-ballot Hall of Famer was much deserved.
READ MORE: The Extraordinary History of the Pittsburgh Steelers Logo
