​There may be no franchise in NFL history that has prided itself more on its defense than the Pittsburgh Steelers, a standard that has largely defined the Mike Tomlin era. In recent years, the Steelers have arguably invested more in defense than any other team, with the bulk of that investment coming through the draft. Yet not every pick has panned out as hoped, and the latest notable example could be linebacker Payton Wilson, who Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton suggests is trending toward bust status in 2026.
Wilson enters Year 3 of his NFL career after being selected 98th overall in the third round of the 2024 draft. He came to Pittsburgh with a reputation as a tackling machine from NC State, where he amassed 402 combined tackles over four seasons. That accolade made him seem like a perfect fit for a Steelers defense that has long emphasized tenaciously pursuing and stopping the run. But through his first two seasons, the fit hasn’t looked as seamless as envisioned.
“As Wilson heads into a crucial year for his development,” Moton wrote, “in 2025 he logged a team-leading 126 tackles (six for loss), two sacks, two pass breakups and an interception across 17 games (four starts).” The concern isn’t simply about tackling volume; it’s about where those tackles occur and how they translate to overall impact. The biggest issue highlighted is his coverage. Moton notes that Wilson has shown the traits for a two-down run-stopping role, but the Steelers need him to demonstrate improvement in pass coverage to realize a true breakout year.
Pro Football Focus data paints a similar picture. Although the majority of Wilson’s snaps (571) came in the box, his second-most frequent alignment was at slot cornerback (109 snaps). When targeted last season, he allowed two touchdowns and posted a 104.7 passer rating against him. In a defense that already values versatility—linebackers who can contribute in coverage as well as run defense—that level of exposure is less than ideal for a player who is expected to grow into a cornerstone role.
This isn’t the kind of trend Pittsburgh can afford if they want to maintain a truly elite defense. If coverage lapses persist, Moton argues that Wilson could see his playing time shrink as the Steelers opt to lean on veterans who have already earned trust in the system. The larger concern for the franchise is the broader off-ball linebacker situation: ESPN’s Mike Clay has labeled off-ball linebacking as the Steelers’ biggest weakness heading into 2026, underscoring the precarious balance between development and competition for snaps.
The criticism wasn’t limited to Wilson alone. Patrick Queen also faced scrutiny as a starter, with Clay pointing out that Pittsburgh ranked 27th in run-stop win rate last season and that Queen, despite starting every down, slipped to 61st among 67 qualified off-ball linebackers in PFF grading (and had been 54th among 69 in 2024). These reflections highlight a broader challenge: the Steelers need more from their inside linebackers in both run defense and pass coverage if the unit is to meet the standard fans and analysts have come to expect.
Yet Moton remains cautiously optimistic about Wilson’s prospects. He notes that Wilson could still take a meaningful Year 3 leap, even if last season’s environment included competition from Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison, both of whom remained on the roster and provided a test for Wilson to show he could secure and sustain a larger role. That potential jump is exactly what the Steelers are hoping to see in 2026—improvement that translates into more consistent presence on the field and fewer opportunities for opposing offenses to exploit coverage mismatches.
For Pittsburgh, the expectation is clear: develop a linebacker who can do more than plug gaps and accumulate tackles. The goal is a player who can contribute as a reliable run stopper and who also can hold his own in coverage when called upon. The Steelers’ faith in Wilson’s talent remains, but the path to a transformative year hinges on refining his pass-coverage skills, cementing his status as a versatile, dependable defender, and proving that his high-tide tackle totals can harmonize with meaningful impact plays across all phases of the game. If Wilson can indeed make that leap, the Steelers’ defense could reclaim the balance they have long prized—anchored by a linebacking corps that can thrive in both run defense and pass coverage.