Tyson Alualu embracing position change on defensive line for Steelers

When the Pittsburgh Steelers asked Tyson Alualu, a 10-year NFL veteran, to return to a position he played only sparingly in recent seasons, he took it as a challenge.

He also took the switch from defensive end to nose tackle as a compliment.

“I think so,” Alualu said during training camp. “Being a vet in this league, it’s just always about knowing your job and doing your job to earn the respect of your teammates and coaches. Enough that they trust you enough to put you out there, and you have to make the most of it.”

In his first three seasons with the Steelers, Alualu emerged as a valuable backup on the defensive line. A No. 10 overall draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010, Alualu didn’t miss a start in his first four NFL seasons.

But when Alualu signed with the Steelers in 2017, he did so with the understanding Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt were the starting defensive ends, and Javon Hargrave was the nose tackle.

Alualu accepted his role in the defensive line rotation. He has played 44%, 30% and 40% of the defensive snaps, respectively, in his three seasons with the Steelers, with only a handful coming at nose tackle.

Now, the 6-foot-3, 304-pound Alualu is being tasked with replacing Hargrave, who received a three-year, $39 million contract from the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.

“I’ve seen Javon work throughout the years that I have been here,” Alualu said. “I think I got a first-hand look at what it takes to be a great nose tackle. Seeing him work and seeing how he operates on a daily basis from practice and letting it translate into games, I think being able to see how he plays was definitely a positive for me moving forward.”

Coach Mike Tomlin turned to Alualu first before exploring outside candidates to fill Hargrave’s spot. In Alualu, he had someone with starting experience who also could serve as a mentor to the team’s younger defensive linemen.

“Tyson brings a consistent professional approach,” Tomlin said. “He brings an attention to detail from a technique standpoint. His fine motor skills relative to his position are excellent, but he drills it. If a young guy is watching, he will see the process that he goes by in terms of developing it and maintaining it and enhancing it throughout the team development process.

“He’s a good teammate in that regard, and, obviously, we are glad to have him.”

Since the Steelers use their base defense for about 25% of their snaps, Alualu also can fill in for Tuitt and Heyward at defensive end.

Alualu showed his value when he made five starts last year at right defensive end after Tuitt spent the second half of the season on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle. His sack of Andy Dalton in Week 4 helped the Steelers seal a win against Cincinnati, their first of the season. He had four tackles, a forced fumble and pass breakup against Buffalo. The next week, Alualu had five tackles, including one for a loss, against the New York Jets.

“I think there’s a lot of, I guess you could say comfort food in having some guy that’s been on the field before that can do it,” defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said of Alualu.

And Alualu takes comfort in a chance to be on the field as a nose tackle with Tuitt lined up to his right and Heyward to his left.

“It’s probably the best tandem in the league,” he said. “I knew I was coming into a great group when I came in three or four years ago. To have those guys and be able to play off them in the middle, I think it will elevate my game. I hope I can do the same for them.”