PITTSBURGH – Every so often, a team finds a player who seems built for their philosophy. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, that player may be Isaiah Simmons, the 6-foot-4, 238-pound defensive chess piece who joined the team this offseason on a two-year deal.
While most signings are made to fill a need, Simmons represents something much more by providing utility. Under DK LaFleur, Pittsburgh has long emphasized flexibility, aggression, and situational awareness. Simmons embodies all three. Whether he’s lined up at free safety, roaming as a sub linebacker, or creeping toward the line of scrimmage as a blitzer, his presence changes the approach on the field.
The Perfect Modern Defender
In today’s Premier Madden League, the word “hybrid” gets thrown around a lot, but few players actually live up to it. Isaiah Simmons does. Originally drafted as a linebacker, Simmons’ career has been defined by his ability to blur positional lines. He has the range of a safety, the instincts of a linebacker, and the frame of a lighter edge rusher.
For LaFleur, that versatility unlocks creative freedom. “You can do so much with a guy like him,” the coach said during midweek media availability. “He’s long enough to match up with tight ends, fast enough to run with slots, and strong enough to handle the box. You can’t label him, and that’s exactly what makes him so valuable.”
Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme has quietly evolved since LaFleur took over, moving toward a positionless approach where players rotate fluidly between roles depending on situation and personnel. Simmons fits that philosophy like a glove. When the Steelers go into nickel or dime packages, he can drop into the slot to jam a receiver or rotate back as a deep zone defender. When they go to their “Money” sub package on third down, he can creep toward the line as an overhang linebacker, spying the quarterback or blitzing off the edge.
It’s that kind of adaptability that keeps offenses guessing and coordinators frustrated.
More Than Just a Safety
Officially, Simmons starts at free safety, but labeling him as such doesn’t tell the full story. In LaFleur’s defense, safeties are expected to play multiple roles depending on formation. Some are deep protectors, some fill run gaps, and some rotate into short zones to disrupt timing routes. Simmons can do all three and all in the same series.
At 6-foot-4, his length allows him to close passing lanes few others can reach. When quarterbacks attempt deep seam shots or tight window throws, Simmons’ wingspan becomes a problem. His ability to track the ball in flight, combined with elite closing speed, makes him one of the most dangerous defenders in coverage.
But Simmons’ size also gives Pittsburgh something few teams can replicate: a safety who can function as a linebacker without sacrificing speed. According to league rules, he qualifies to play sub linebacker snaps, and that’s where LaFleur has gotten creative. On early downs, Simmons can drop into the box next to a traditional linebacker, helping neutralize running backs in space. On third downs, he can spy mobile quarterbacks or serve as a late blitzer from the slot, creating confusion in protection calls.
Defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin Jr, who has worked closely with Simmons since his arrival, described him as “a matchup eraser.”
“You don’t have to worry about getting caught in bad personnel,” Lynn said. “If they come out in heavy sets, he can play in the box. If they spread out five wide, he can cover their slot. He’s that rare kind of player who keeps your options open and your substitutions limited.”
The Late-Game Weapon
Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Simmons’ impact is his role in late-game scenarios. When the Steelers are protecting a lead and facing a hurry-up offense, substitutions become difficult. Offenses try to exploit mismatches with smaller corners on big tight ends, slower linebackers on shifty slot receivers. Simmons neutralizes both threats.
In end-of-game situations, LaFleur often deploys him as a deep safety in quarters coverage, using his combination of speed and size to track deep threats while also being physical enough to disrupt contested catches. Against teams like Cleveland and Baltimore, who thrive on extending plays and testing defensive backs in a variety of ways, Simmons’ presence gives Pittsburgh a safety net few others have.
“He changes what we can call,” LaFleur explained. “Normally, you have to pick your poison, play deep and give up the underneath routes or press up and risk the big play. With Isaiah, we can disguise either look because he can do both in one play.”
It’s no coincidence that Simmons has quickly become one of the most trusted voices on the field. His communication and anticipation have improved each week, and teammates have praised his leadership and professionalism.
“He’s like a quarterback for us on defense,” cornerback Jaylen Watson said. “He’s always talking, always calling things out before they happen. He sees the field differently.”
Built for the AFC North
In a division loaded with dynamic offensive talent with Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and now rookie Haynes King, flexibility on defense isn’t just a luxury; it’s survival. The AFC North demands defenders who can adapt, react, and cover ground.
Simmons gives Pittsburgh that versatility. Against teams that rely on mobile quarterbacks, he can serve as a spy. Against physical tight ends, he can match their strength and length. Against deep threats, he provides insurance over the top.
The Steelers haven’t had a player with this kind of defensive elasticity since Troy Polamalu, though the two play the game differently. Where Polamalu thrived on instinct and chaos, Simmons thrives on structure and positioning. Together, they represent two eras of Pittsburgh defense with one rooted in unpredictability, the other in versatility.
A Perfect Fit
When the Steelers signed Isaiah Simmons, the move didn’t make the loudest headlines. But within the building, it was viewed as one of the most strategic signings of the offseason.
“He’s not just another athlete,” LaFleur said. “He’s a complete football player. He gives us answers. And in this league, that’s what you’re always searching for.”
Two games into the season, it’s already clear that Simmons is more than just a piece of the puzzle. He’s the tool that allows the entire defensive machine to adjust on the fly.
For a Steelers team intent on building an identity based on balance, intelligence, and adaptability, Isaiah Simmons embodies that.
– Forged In Steel Times
