Elandon Roberts Has a Major Advantage in Patrick Graham’s New Steelers Defense

August 27, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has plenty to teach the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, one veteran already knows the language. Elandon Roberts has played for Graham before, giving the Steelers something most of the defense does not have yet: familiarity.

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That could matter quickly. Graham is installing a new system, new terminology, and a different defensive identity. Roberts, meanwhile, can help teammates understand what their coordinator expects before they have fully experienced it themselves.

Elandon Roberts’ Familiarity With Patrick Graham Could Accelerate Steelers’ Defense

Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots tight end Pharaoh Brown (86) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) in the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Roberts discussed his reunion with Graham on August 27, explaining that his previous experience with the coordinator has made the transition much smoother.

“I’m very comfortable with PG. I know his expectations, what he expects out of players, how he goes about step by step getting the defense ready throughout the week. When guys ask me, I kind of be like, ‘Nah, that’s how he is, but if you do this, you do that.’”

Steelers ILB Elandon Roberts is very comfortable working with DC Patrick Graham again: “I’m very comfortable with PG. I know his expectations, what he expects out of players, how he goes about step by step getting the defense ready throughout the week. When guys ask me, I kind of…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 27, 2026

That familiarity is more valuable than it might look on paper. Roberts spent last season with Graham in the Las Vegas Raiders, so he already understands how the veteran coordinator teaches, communicates, and prepares his defense. Now, he can serve as an informal translator for teammates still getting comfortable with the system.

And Roberts is not keeping that knowledge to himself. He did explain that when teammates ask about something Graham is doing, he can immediately reassure them that certain demands are simply part of the coordinator’s process and point them toward what they need to adjust.

That gives Graham a head start. The Steelers are looking for more than a scheme change in 2026. Graham is expected to bring greater physicality, disguise and pressure flexibility to a defense that has sometimes looked predictable. His system also places a premium on communication, making it critical for every defender to understand his assignment and the reason behind it.

Roberts fits that vision naturally. The veteran linebacker is at his best attacking downhill, stuffing running lanes, and bringing the kind of physical edge that can set a defensive tone. He has also recorded at least 90 tackles three times during his career, giving the Steelers another experienced presence in the middle.

However, his biggest contribution could happen before the snap. Roberts’ ability to explain the system from a player’s perspective gives the coordinator another advantage while those rotations take shape.

There is also a bigger benefit here. A new defensive system can take time to become instinctive. Players have to think less and react faster. Having someone who already understands Graham’s terminology and weekly process can help shorten that learning curve.

Elandon Roberts Has a Major Advantage in Patrick Graham’s New Steelers Defense

Elandon Roberts’ Familiarity With Patrick Graham Could Accelerate Steelers’ Defense

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