Steelers Have 1 Unlikely Candidate For Linebacker Depth Already On The 90-Man Roster

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been struggling with acquiring quality linebackers. Even with numerous signings and hiring Aaron Curry to try and overhaul the weak linebacker core, the Steelers likely want to do more. Tanner Muse and Mark Robinson could be quality depth and even though they just recently signed Nick Kwiatkowski, more depth may be desired. As opposed to searching the free agent market, they could develop one player from within that already has some level of linebacker experience. There's already little thought of his role and he can expand on it. 

The Steelers have been looking for competition all over the place, including at long snapper. With the Steelers eyeing numerous options, including trying out Nick Boyle at the position, Christian Kuntz needs to find a way to stay on the team. Many long snappers have been signed and/or tried out to try and take Kuntz's role. While Kuntz can still keep the long snapper role with a quality camp, it wouldn't hurt to try and help the team out elsewhere.

Kuntz was originally a linebacker at Duquesne and transitioned to long snapper after being cut by the New England Patriots one day after being signed. After bouncing around from practice squad to practice squad, he played in the second iteration of the XFL, where he won the long snapper job in part due to the abilities he developed while playing linebacker. 

When the XFL shut down due to COVID-19, the Steelers brought him in to compete with Kameron Canaday for two years in a row. Kuntz won the camp competition in the second year and is the current favorite to keep the long snapper role.

Could The Steelers Transition Kuntz To Linebacker?

The Steelers don't need Kuntz to be a star linebacker. He can just be a depth player, potentially as a run-specific or goal-line package linebacker. The Steelers are lacking quality depth there, meaning one injury could possibly derail the core. Even though Kuntz won't be able to fix the core by himself, he can still provide some help and make timely tackles if needed. He has experience with tackling on punt coverage, so tackling someone in the box might be easier.

Kuntz did play linebacker for the Steelers in the preseason of 2019, although he didn't make the 53-man roster that year and went back to long snapper when he got signed by the then-Dallas Renegades in the XFL. The Steelers have seen first-hand what he can do and with Mark Robinson being the only linebacker left from the 2022 Steelers, Kuntz's familiarity with the team could help give him an edge and give him another role and reason to stay on the team.

Long snappers don't do too much during practice each day. When he's not long snapping at practice, he can fill in on second team or third team and learn how to play linebacker at the NFL level. It could be an option if he wants to increase his value on the team.

He can continue to long snap during special teams drills or on the sideline when he's not needed to play either role during practice. Even if he doesn't get the linebacker role, learning how to tackle better could still help him out on punt coverage and make him a better special teamer.

What do you think of Kuntz potentially joining the linebacker core or him potentially losing his roster spot altogether? Let us know in the comments below.

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