Steelers expanding three-outside linebacker (3-EDGE) package into base defense

Pittsburgh deployed Watt, Highsmith and Herbig together on many early-down snaps, signaling the 3-EDGE grouping is part of the regular defensive menu rather than a specialty sub-package.

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- Watt, Highsmith and Herbig played together for 20 snaps versus Atlanta; 19 of those were in a 3-EDGE package.
- Eighteen of the 19 3-EDGE snaps came on first or second down, showing use as an early-down/peel-the-run look.
- The package appeared both against 11-personnel (11 snaps) and heavier personnel groupings.
- The package favors two down linemen plus three edge-type linebackers and four defensive backs.
- It reduces obvious blitzing and lets Pittsburgh use its top edge defenders frequently without playing traditional three-man DL looks.
- Higher-powered offenses in coming weeks (NE, CIN) will test whether the 3-EDGE grouping can handle diverse matchups.

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