DeSHON ELLIOTT: Say happy birthday to Mike Tomlin, guys. He turned 32 today, guys. (Smiling.)
Q. You've played a variety of different roles in the secondary. How do you feel like the versatility can help the Steelers, and where do you think you'll eventually land?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I think that with me being able to move around just gives them flexibility to put me where they want me at. I'm open to playing wherever they want me and just be a part of this defense. Doesn't really matter to me. I just want to be productive in the defense any way possible I can.
Q. What was the Steelers pitch to you about why here is the right fit? What made you want to sign here?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: That logo. It's championship football. This is the culture. This is real smash mouth, real gritty, cold-weather-game football. Why else would you not want to play here?
Growing up watching Troy Polamalu play, the Steel Curtain, like this is real football. I'm excited to be here.
Q. Patrick Queen was just in here and said that he's a villain because he went from the Ravens to here. I know you had another stop in between, but are you also embracing...
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I think Lamar texted me. I didn't open it yet. Pretty sure it's something like that probably.
Q. You played a lot of football, started a lot of games for three teams. How do you wrap your head around that?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Just blessed to be able to keep playing this game. No matter how many injuries I had, how many ups and downs I had to deal with in my career, I'm just blessed to keep playing.
At the end of the day, everyone has their own path, everyone has things they are planning to go, destined to do, and this is where I'm destined to be at the moment.
Q. Mike has relationships with players from draft time and then (indiscernible). Did you have the feeling Steelers might be interested in you in this way?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Not at the point of my career that I'm in now. I know when I was younger I had a couple time I crossed paths with Coach after games, talked it up a little bit.
But life is coming full circle for me to be able to experience what I did in Baltimore and then on the journey I took and right back in the AFC North. It's really cool. Really excited, bro.
Q. Ravens signed Derrick Henry. Do you have a history with him at all?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I don't think so. I don't think so at all. I played him a couple times. He's a great player. Great dude. He trains in Dallas, I'm from Dallas, so I talked to him a couple times. But hey, man, I don't care who lines up in front of me. I'm just here to play football.
I'm excited to play for this team and to play the Ravens when I get a chance to.
Q. Being on the other side of that rivalry, on this side, is the physical nature of those games kind of what you play into, what you like to...
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I think that's like an attribute I have in my game, my natural physical nature, so yeah, I'm excited. I think all four teams in the AFC North are physical teams. It's a brand a lot of the NFL doesn't have.
I think me being able to get back here in this part of the league, it just shows the culture. I think it's a part of my DNA so I'm excited.
Q. Knowing Patrick and Patrick's game, do you think he fits in well as a Steeler?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I believe that I watched a game last year from PQ and he ran through a fullback's face or O-line's face to go tackle the running back. That's when I realized that PQ was not young PQ anymore. He's a grown man.
Yeah, he's ready to play football the right way and he's been doing it at a high level, and I respect him as a man and in this game. Yeah, definitely.
Q. Speaking of things like that, you have a reputation of -- you're a DB by nature, by position, but tackling sometimes DBs are different -- do you embrace that?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Of course. It's football. I feel like if you are scared of being physical, get off the field. They trying to turn football into basketball on grass. We not fixin' to have that around here. I don't play them type of games. I really don't.
Q. The Mahomes helmet, is that a badge of honor for you?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I wouldn't say badge of honor. It's another game. I definitely kept my helmet and they printed out a picture for me and put it in my locker before I left. I appreciate them for that. Showed the respect they have for me and the respect I have for the Miami Dolphins for sure.
Q. Your time in the league and what you heard about Coach Tomlin, what are some of those things, and what are some of the things that endeared to you play for a guy like him?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: That he wants to develop a great culture in his locker room and organization. He's a great man. He's a very spiritual man. Cares a lot about his family and brings that into the building.
Like everyone around the league, there is not one guy in the NFL who says they wouldn't want to play for Coach Tomlin, so to be able to play for him is a blessing.
Q. Minkah, what did appreciate from afar? What do you look forward to playing with him?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: We came out of school together. I met him at the College Football Awards in Atlanta when we came out of school. He's a quiet guy but he's a fantastic player. He's very instinctual, smart, natural leader.
I think he's going to one day have a gold jacket and hopefully one day a Super Bowl ring or two. God bless. Great player. Excited to play with him.
Q. How do you envision your role our complementing Minkah on the back end there?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: This is my first day. Still trying to get everything settled, bro. We'll work that out when it's time. We expect greatness so we'll be fine.
Q. Have you heard from Minkah?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I talk to my parents I think once. I got here literally last night at 9:30 and woke up at 6:30 and first thing I did was medical. Haven't had time to sit down and talk to my friends, girlfriend. Haven't had a chance to talk to anybody yet. Once I'm done here I will finally get a chance to talk to everybody and answer texts and return phone calls to people.
Q. What have your impressions been of Russell Wilson been? Obviously gone through the medical and signing, all that stuff today. What's it been like getting know him early on?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I crossed paths with him before just playing against him. I've had a few conversations with him. Real genuine guy. Going to be in the Hall of Fame one day. He's a great player. Cares about his teammates. Ready to get to know him more. At the time I can't give you too much honestly.
Q. I asked Patrick this, but obviously you've been on the other side of coming here and playing in front of these fans. What excites you the most about getting to play for Steelers Nation?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Because when you play on either side of it, if you haven't made a play in that game or haven't won in that game, then you aren't officially a part of that team.
So I feel like I've made plays for the other team. It's time for me to make plays for this team. That's what I'm excited to do. Yeah, that's about it.
Q. Do you have one memory that sticks out to you, a play that went your way or maybe went against you back in those games?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I don't remember, bro. I'm just excited for the opportunity, bro. Hell yeah.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports