(TNS)—You could see the attempt at diplomacy oozing through Larry Foote’s wry smile when he was posed with the question in the visitors’ tunnel at Acrisure Stadium:

Could the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers defense measure up to the great units you played on during the 2005, ’08 and ’10 Super Bowl runs?

Could it even be “one of the best of all-time?”

That’s what new Steelers safety Juan Thornhill said during training camp. Head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t exactly throw water on the notion a week later on WDVE when he said that this defense could end up doing “historic” things.

“They’ve definitely got talent. But I’m always going to say we were the best. I’m always arguing with people all the time about that, especially online. I always think we got overlooked because of the Steelers’ defenses in the ’70s, ’80s and even ’90s,” Foote said during Thursday’s “Breakfast With Benz” podcast. “But they’ve got 17 games to go prove it.”

Taking that quote to Foote as a player would’ve gotten a much different reaction. Now at 45, as a linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Foote had a more measured response. He’ll be calling defensive plays for the Bucs Saturday night when they play the Steelers in the second game of the preseason.

That’s something head coach Todd Bowles likes to do in the preseason, so his assistants get the experience of calling plays in game action even though he usually has that job in the regular season.

“It’s gonna be awesome. Anytime I step foot in here, no matter whether I’m a spectator or coaching, calling plays, it’s awesome being back,” Foote said.

And Foote will be back again in Week 9 when the 2005 team is honored for the 20th anniversary of its Super Bowl XL victory.

“I will be able to make it. That’s our bye week. I just got the letter in the mail,” Foote said. “I’ve been frustrated in previous years because all the alumni stuff is in November when I’m working. So I thank God though to come back to see the guys.”

Remembering what that ’05 defense did during its magical late-season push is what stands out to Foote about that group in particular.

“The run in 2005 was so, so special. We played against No. 1 (Indianapolis), No. 2 (Cincinnati), and No. (6, Denver) offenses in the AFC. Then waiting on us in the Super Bowl with the No. 1 offense (Seattle),” Foote says. “So that run was special.”

But Foote feels like the 2008 unit may have been the best assembled group of the era.

“We were just so dominant. We were so good. We really only felt a little pressure in the second half of the Super Bowl,” Foote recalled in the win against Arizona. “But that ’08 team was just all put together, and it was dominant. It was easy.”

The defense finished ranked first in the league in total yards and passing yards allowed. It was also second in rushing yards and second in sacks. However, he can see why Tomlin is excited about the unit he has assembled this year, particularly at his old inside linebacker position.

“Very talented,” Foote said. “Queen has been a Pro Bowler. Payton Wilson, I was trying to ‘recruit’ him. We hosted him for a visit to Tampa. He’s good, a talented guy. I know he’s fast. He can run. He’s in a good place to learn ball.”

Also during the podcast, Foote talks about his own linebackers in Tampa, how he thinks Jalen Ramsey will influence the 2025 Steelers, and his memories of both Joey Porter Sr. and Jr.