Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator Patrick Graham addressed the media on April 17, 2026, confirming the team's intention to maintain its base 3-4 defense ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. Graham acknowledged that while the team will stick with this traditional formation, the modern NFL has seen a significant shift towards nickel defense, which has effectively become the default base for many teams, including the Steelers. He explained that the terminology around formations is fluid, suggesting that the defense could also be viewed as a 4-3-5 or 2-4-5, depending on player alignment. This adaptability is crucial in today’s game, particularly with players like T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who can be classified as either outside linebackers or defensive ends in nickel packages. The Steelers' adoption of the 3-4 defense dates back to 1982 under former head coach Chuck Noll and has been a hallmark of the franchise, especially during the Bill Cowher era, marking one of the longest tenures of a single defensive scheme in NFL history.