On paper, the Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most talented groups of players on the defensive side of the ball of any team in the entire NFL. With All-Pro caliber players at nearly every level, the unit is poised to help the team compete for an AFC North title in 2023. With that being said, as it has been over the past few seasons, the question remains of whether or not the team did enough in terms of bringing talent to the inside linebacker room.
KARL ROSER / PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers Are Poised To Have A Top Defense In 2023
Free agent additions, Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts are projected as the starters to open the regular season against the San Francisco 49ers. From there, the team has second-year player Mark Robinson as well as Tanner Muse and Chapelle Russell to round out the group. Needless to say, there is a need for quality depth behind Holcomb and Roberts.
While many fans are clamoring for Omar Khan to make one last splash move and add a linebacker such as Kwon Alexander or Kyle Van Noy, it might not be happening. According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it may be quite some time before the front office adds to the positional group. During a recent appearance on the North Shore Drive Podcast, Fittipaldo explained why the Steelers may not be in a rush to sign an inside linebacker in the near future.
"If they make that move, [inside linebacker] I think they wait until after June minicamp is over. In the past, I think they've kinda let things play out, the guys who are here, let them see what they can do, and then they'll talk after minicamp is over," Fittipaldo answered.
The Steelers May Already Have Their Top Backup In Robinson
As both Fittipaldo and Carter point out, the decision of whether or not to bring in a player at inside linebacker such as Alexander or Van Noy is largely contingent upon how confident the Steelers feel in Robinson, who played surprisingly well in limited action during his rookie campaign in 2022. He will likely see a much bigger role in 2023, as he is the lone remaining member of the inside linebacker group from this past season.
KARL ROSER / PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Steelers ILB, Mark Robinson Has Reportedly Been Very Impressive During OTAs
With Holcomb being brought along slowly after offseason foot surgery, Robinson has a unique opportunity to prove once and for all that he is capable of being the team's primary backup inside linebacker. If he succeeds in doing this, it may be entirely possible that the Steelers do not sign any additional players at the position. As Fittipaldo discusses, the second-year pro will need to showcase his ability in being a well-rounded linebacker who is equally effective in both run and pass defense.
"He [Robinson] got this reputation of being a good run stopper, but we saw in practice that he can play pass defense too. He had a nice interception returned for a touchdown. That was his niche [run-stopping ability] last year, but if he wants to be number three this year, I think he's gonna have to show that he can also play pass defense," Fittipaldo said.
The interception Fittipaldo is referring to occurred on May 30, 2023, during the team's OTAs, in which he reportedly picked off starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett. While an interception during OTAs is far from a clear indication that Robinson has improved his ability to cover the pass, it is certainly a step in the right direction. He will need to make many more big plays over the course of offseason practices to solidify his role as a meaningful contributor to the team's defense in 2023.
JORDAN SCHOFIELD / STEELER NATION (TWITTER: JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers ILB, Mark Robinson Has An Opportunity To Play Significant Snaps For The Defense This Upcoming Season
Final Thoughts On The Steelers' ILB Group
The concerns over the inside linebacker positional group are well warranted, as it has undoubtedly been a weak spot on the team's defense for a number of years. With that being said, the trio of Holcomb, Roberts and Robinson seems to be solid, for now. While Robinson is far from a finished product, his physical style of play combined with his impressive athleticism make him an intriguing candidate to serve as the team's number three option.
As Fittipaldo points out, there is still a possibility that the Steelers sign a player to add depth, but it will most likely not come anytime soon. Fortunately for Robinson, it seems as if the coaching staff is giving him ample opportunity to prove his worth. If his in-game action in 2022 is any indication of the type of player he is, the Steelers may have just struck gold on their former seventh-round selection.
How do Yinz feel about Robinson going into the 2023 season? Would you like to see the team add to the inside linebacker room sooner rather than later? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
#SteelerNation
