PITTSBURGH — It makes sense that the focus on this year’s Pittsburgh Steelers team centers around the offense. That side of the ball has been a problem — for years. There’s a new play-caller in town, one not only familiar with the starting quarterback but also has a history of developing young passers.

The scheme will look different, as will the personnel, thanks to some notable upgrades through free agency and the draft. And while all of these things are noteworthy, the truth is this team will only go as far as its defense can take it.

“We have the players to be an elite defense. We all know that,” linebacker Alex Highsmith said earlier this week. “For us, right now, this is the start of the process — guys being here and building the culture.”

Once again, the Steelers’ defense will be the highest-paid unit in the NFL. It’s the side of the football where the true stars on the team play, future Hall of Famers who are still at — or, at the very least, near — the top of their game. It needs to be better than last year. And similar to the offense, it also has a new voice.

“The benefit of being here with the Steelers is that there’s a clear standard in terms of what the people of the city and the town and what the Rooney family expect,” defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said Tuesday during organized team activities. “ ... There’s no need for any gimmicks.”

Graham knows what he signed up for. It’s been something Steelers Nation has made impossible for him to forget. Anywhere he goes around town — be it the gas station, a restaurant or the airport — fans express their passion.

There’s a certain, dare I say ... standard ... to be upheld.

Meeting that standard won’t be achieved overnight, which Graham completely understands.

“We’re trying to figure out and earn our way in this tradition — Steelers defense,” he said. “ ... We’re far away from that. It’s just imagination right now, but we’ve just got to work hard, put in the work day by day and go from there.”

Graham has a vision for the Steelers’ defensive personnel, one defined by speed, physicality and an ability to create turnovers. He believes the first step toward achieving this centers around him building a strong connection with his players.

There are some big shoes to fill on that front. Steelers fans obviously have mixed feelings on Mike Tomlin. Many are happy to see him gone. That, however, wasn’t the case for many within the locker room.

Tomlin was perhaps best known for his ability to connect with players, especially those who play on the defensive side of the ball. His leadership is all the likes of T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr. have known throughout their professional careers.

Graham won’t likely ever be able to replicate that bond, especially for the veterans. But as training camp approaches, he’s making a clear effort to develop a healthy and welcoming relationship with the Steelers’ defense.

“I just spend time with them, just spend time texting them,” Graham said. “I’m in the age where I text, I text the guys. Really what I try to do is open up and let them know about me.”

One of the ways Graham has gone about this is through music. Every Thursday, someone on the Steelers’ defense is tasked with giving a report on “old-school hip-hop,” an artist or group Graham is a fan of.

Previous presentations have featured De La Soul, the Dungeon Family, OutKast and Goodie Mob. This week, the focus was on the Native Tongues collective, which includes the likes of Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, Queen Latifah, Black Sheep, Monie Love and more.

“All stuff that I grew up with as a kid, stuff I listened to before the games,” Graham said with a laugh. “We’ve got a couple more projects on tap.”

Graham admits he is an introvert. He doesn’t mind eating lunch on his own. He’s perfectly fine spending a day alone, in his office, grinding through game film. But right now, the new coordinator can’t allow himself to be a loner.

Last year’s defense struggled with communication. It took weeks — if not months — into the regular season before the unit was seemingly on the same page. That can’t happen in 2026, something Graham has emphasized since his arrival.

Time will tell if the sounds of “Roses” or “Can I Kick It?” will serve as the anthem to an elite Steelers defense. In the meantime, fans should be encouraged by Graham’s willingness to creatively connect with the most important group of players on this year’s team.

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