Steelers Announce Three-Year Deal for Former Dolphins Standout

Safety DeShon Elliott is coming off his strongest individual season as an NFL player. In his first campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Elliott recorded a career-high 108 tackles (breaking triple digits for the first time in the process), in addition to four tackles for loss, one interception, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. 

Elliott clearly impressed the Steelers' coaching staff and front office, as the franchise made it one of their offseason priorities to lock him up for future seasons. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero previously reported on June 15 that Elliott and the Steelers had agreed on a two-year extension to his current contract worth $12.5 million.

That was not the case, however, as the Steelers announced on Tuesday that Elliott signed a new three-year deal with the team. According to a release, financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed.

Elliott played just the 2023 season with the Dolphins, but he was productive in his brief time in Miami. That year, he made 82 tackles, caught one interception and defended seven passes, which remains a career high.

When it comes to Elliott's tenure with the Dolphins, what he will be most remembered for is a shot he took at the team during an episode of the Punch Line Podcast with Marlon Humphrey posted in November 2024.

"Last year, I was playing for a team that was soft as [expletive]," Elliott said. "There were some guys who were tough, but for a majority of the team, there were not mentally tough individuals."

Originally a sixth-round (No. 190 overall) pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Elliott has also had stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2018-2021) and Detroit Lions (2022) during his seven-year professional football career. He is credited with 395 tackles, four interceptions, five forced fumbles and 3.5 sacks in 72 total NFL games (including 64 starts).

Elliott played three years of college football at Texas, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2017, prior to being drafted by the Ravens.