A common NFL narrative is that football is a sub-package world. One of extra defensive backs, not more defensive linemen. One that’s been applied to Pittsburgh. Rejection of the team’s base 3-4 defense to nickel packages.
Like many narratives, that’s partially true. Over the past 10-15 years, football has opened up. Emphasis has centered on speed and the horizontal passing game with defenses responding in kind. Smaller defensive linemen and linebackers were the adjustment.
Football, however, is cyclical. The game is reverting back to “old-school” roots. That’s clear in how teams are drafting and constructing offensive personnel. Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams used to be a near-exclusive 11-personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) team. Last year, they easily led the league in explosive plays out of 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TEs, 1 WR) and have completely transformed their approach.
Tight ends took center stage in the 2026 NFL Draft. Nine of them were selected in the top 100. That ties 2023’s mark and is the most of any top three rounds since the 1970 merger.
Welcome back to base. For the Steelers and the rest of the NFL. Crunch the numbers and Pittsburgh is closer than you think. For all the talk about how the Steelers’ base three-down defense is antiquated and irrelevant, reality doesn’t match.
Per my charting, here’s the team’s base versus sub-package figures the past three seasons.
| Year | Base | Sub-Package |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 39.1% | 60.9% |
| 2024 | 26.7% | 73.3% |
| 2023 | 40.3% | 59.4% |
Twice, Pittsburgh’s been in base about 40 percent of the time. Still the minority number but certainly not a small one. Far more than what most people will recognize with off-the-cuff estimates of 20-something percent.
Digging deeper, the Steelers used their 3-4 front on 326 snaps, about 30 percent of the time. The rest of “base” was populated by specialty groupings like their 3-5 defense with an extra linebacker.
Playing in the AFC North only heightens the need for the Steelers’ base defense.
The Baltimore Ravens are among the league’s heaviest rushing team. Even with the loss of tight ends Isaiah Likely and fullback Patrick Ricard, their personality is likely to remain the same. The Cleveland Browns are led by new head coach Todd Monken, the Ravens’ former offensive coordinator. Cleveland loaded up on receiver help but will still be led by its ground game and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Against the North last season, Pittsburgh used a three-down front more than 38 percent of the time.
Last year is last year. The AFC North has changed since then with three new head coaches, including in Pittsburgh. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will put his own spin on the Steelers’ defense, and I’ve talked extensively about his history of leaning on sub-packages with a big corner/safety, like Nate Hobbs, masquerading as a third linebacker.
How these numbers shift going forward will be something we track even more closely than before. But what’s undeniable are the recent numbers and where the NFL is headed. Base defense isn’t dead. It’s returning in a major way.
