The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a new contract with one of their core defensive players, but it wasn’t the decorated All-Pro outside linebacker.

Strong safety DeShon Elliott agreed to a three-year, $15.5 million contract, per a league source. Elliott’s new contract includes $9.21 million in guaranteed salary.

The Steelers are trying to get outside linebacker T.J. Watt under contract before the start of training camp, which begins after players report July 23.

Elliott, 28, was entering the last year of his two-year, $6 million contract he signed in the 2024 offseason. He was scheduled to earn $3 million in base salary this year and count $3.75 million against the salary cap. The extension covers the 2026-27 seasons.

In his first season with the Steelers, Elliott had one of his best years in the NFL. A six-year veteran, he started 14 of the 15 games he played last season, and he totaled 108 tackles, including 72 solo stops.

Elliott also had one interception, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Elliott was bothered by a hamstring late in the season and did not start the losses to Philadelphia and Baltimore in December. He returned for the final two games of the season and started the wild-card playoff loss to the Ravens.

Elliott was critical of the team’s play after his return when the Steelers dropped a 29-10 decision against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas. He said the Steelers left too many players “wide open” and added, “We shouldn’t be having these problems in Week 18. That’s a Week 1 or Week 2 problem.”

Prior to his injury, Elliott had 11 tackles in a win against Cincinnati and 13 stops in a victory against Cleveland that improved the Steelers’ record to 10-3.

Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at [email protected].