The Pittsburgh Steelers have tried all sorts of ways to fill the inside linebacker spot since Ryan Shazier suffered his tragic injury. A mix of Jon Bostic and Vince Williams, then Devin Bush and Mark Barron, Avery Williamson, Robert Spillane, Joe Schobert and finally Myles Jack. Jack joins Bostic, Barron, Williamson and Schobert as one-and-done solutions following his release Thursday. They're now set to try the newly signed Elandon Roberts, brought in on a two-year deal, and Cole Holcomb on a three-year deal, to compete with project Mark Robinson to try and end the continuing carousel at the position.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Steelers Myles Jack will be looking for a new team after the Steelers handed him his walking papers.
The #Steelers agreed to terms with former #Commanders LB Cole Holcomb earlier this week on a three-year deal pending physical, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2023
Holcomb, 26, has started 48 games for Washington. A big addition to Pittsburgh’s defense. pic.twitter.com/iiquOESnsp
Ray Fittipaldo, team insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, joined the PM Team W/Poni & Mueller and said that he was a little bit surprised by the move to cut ties with the team's leading tackler in 2022 despite only starting in 13 games but not shocked. According to the writer, the availability issue along with the cap savings made it a logical move for the team as Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin reshape the position group yet again in another offseason.
"Knowing that he was more than an $11 million cap hit and he had a groin issue that slowed him down a little at the end of last season, I understand it," he said on the show. "One of these years you'd have to think they'd get it right and we'll see if they got it right with Holcolm and Roberts."
PHOTO CREDIT: JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELERNATION (JSKO_PHOTO TWITTER)
Steelers linebacker, Mark Robinson participates in his first-ever training camp in 2022 at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. |
The Steelers' Inside Linebacker Group Update
It seems the Steelers' two new signings will come in to compete primarily with Robinson, whose role increased towards the end of the year specifically for his run-stopping ability. The biggest issue the linebacking group suffered from in 2022 was a lack of splash with not a single turnover forced by the entire unit.
Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Elandon Roberts has a pair of career touchdowns, one a pass from Tom Brady and the other an 85-yard pick off Derek Carr. (Stats from Pro Football Reference)
Roberts, a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots, showed an ability to get after the football last season with the Commanders getting in the way of four passes, getting two forced fumbles and snagging an interception. Holcomb, in his last fully healthy season in 2021, registered seven pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles. The organization is obviously hoping they can import some more turnovers and splash plat from their linebacking group next year.
Only time will tell if the team went in the right direction this time with their selections to fill the position so far. The Steelers treaded in to find their guys after watching a frenzy of moves for linebackers at the opening of the free-agent market. It also seems likely the organization will still add an inside linebacker via the draft or as an undrafted free agent.
Did the team make the right move to pivot away from Myles Jack based on the price tag and injury history? Do you like the bets they've made on Holcolm and Roberts? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
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