Less than a year removed from playing with the Miami Dolphins, DeShon Elliott shared some candid insights about his former team during a chat on the Punchline Pod with Marlon Humphrey, the Baltimore Ravens cornerback. Elliott, now in his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, didn’t mince words when describing the 2023 Dolphins’ mentality.
Reflecting on his brief stint with Miami, Elliott called the team “soft” and expressed doubts about their ability to succeed on the big stage. As he gears up to face the Ravens this weekend, a team where he kickstarted his NFL career, Elliott is relishing the opportunity to compete alongside a group of “mentally tough” teammates in the intensely combative AFC North.
Elliott’s perspective seems rooted in his experience during last season’s Week 17 blowout against Baltimore, a critical game with the AFC’s No. 1 seed on the line. Despite an impressive 11-4 start, the Dolphins ended the season on a sour note, and Elliott wasn’t surprised by their stumble down the stretch. He pointed to the distractions inherent in Miami—a city bustling with activity—as a significant factor that affected the team’s unity and focus.
“Miami is full of distractions,” Elliott explained. “We weren’t as tight-knit because there’s just so much to do.
Everyone starts thinking they’re somebody, caught up in the Miami scene. We had a good thing going but then injuries took their toll, particularly when facing Tennessee, and it just felt like the team’s heart and drive vanished.”
He expressed concern about players losing their discipline, mentioning late meeting arrivals and midweek visits to strip clubs. To Elliott, this highlighted a cultural flaw he believes hinders Miami from ever truly becoming a top-tier team, despite having a roster full of talent.
Yet, Elliott had some positive takeaways from his Miami experience. “The aesthetics were top-notch, seeing the sun daily was a treat, and the people? Absolutely fantastic,” he admitted, balancing his criticism with some appreciation for the lifestyle he briefly enjoyed.
As for the Dolphins, Elliott moved on via free agency after his one-year deal ended, but his departure raises questions. Given the shaky performance at the safety position this season, including an aging roster and Jevon Holland hampered by injuries, one might wonder if Miami underestimated Elliott’s impact.
Currently, Elliott is stepping up big time for the Steelers, leading the team in tackles with an impressive tally of 64, alongside three tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He’s been a standout performer on an already formidable Steelers defense, drawing comparisons to anyone not named T.J.
Watt. Clearly, his presence and physicality are being felt—and missed—in more ways than one.