Chris Carter, NFL and NCAAF analyst, is joined by Josh Taylor of KDKA-TV.

Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin have to reconstruct the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense in 2022, but a key element would be making it about getting Minkah Fitzpatrick back to being an X-factor safety. In the past three seasons, the Steelers have finished in the top five defenses in points and yards twice, both in years when Fitzpatrick had 4 or more interceptions.

That not only involves schemes and play calls between Austin and Tomlin, but aggressive personnel moves to rebuild the defense to allow Fitzpatrick to roam and be aggressive looking for interceptions and turnovers. That may involve not only re-signing Ahkello Witherspoon, but adding a major free agent cornerback like J.C. Jackson or Stephon Gilmore.

Also, looking harder at the defensive production the Steelers have gotten without overpaying for that unit shows there's real potential for the group to be truly elite if the right additions are made with the stars on the team like Fitzpatrick, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and the role players developing on the roster.

Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques.

Theme music is 'Soul Kick' by Ceddy P, and 'Too Easy' by Nerdboy. Both from their label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here.

This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network.

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