Steelers' Mike Tomlin Told Linebacker Cole Holcomb That He "Better Not Cut That Mullet"

The Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to revitalize their linebacker room during the 2023 offseason, and they did just that. Mark Robinson was the only remaining piece from the 2022 unit, as the front office brought in new faces. In fact, while many expected Robinson to have a bigger role in 2023, he's seen just four defensive snaps through five games. Cole Holcomb was the biggest addition, as Pittsburgh snatched him away from the Washington Commanders. 

Through five games, the linebacker unit is looking much better than it did in 2022. That resurgence is led by Holcomb, who has played 311 (85%) defensive snaps so far. He's stepped up as a vocal leader as well, which has been needed with the number of departures during the 2023 offseason. In a sit down interview with Missi Matthews of Steelers.com, Holcomb reflected back on a message that Head Coach, Mike Tomlin gave him when he signed with Pittsburgh.

"I trimmed it up right before I signed and everybody was like, 'What the heck happened?' That was Mike T's first thing, he was like, 'You better not cut that mullet.' I definitely think it's Steel Curtain vibes."

Steel Curtain vibes... that's right. The mullet has become an iconic trademark for Holcomb in the NFL. In case you didn't know, his journey to where he is now is quite impressive. In college, he walked on at the University of North Carolina. Holcomb eventually earned playing time for the ACC school and became a steady contributor in the meantime. Washington then selected him in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and that move definitely paid off.

The linebacker started 15 games as a rookie in Washington and hasn't looked back since. Now in his fifth NFL season, he has 53 (and counting) career starts under his belt. He's constantly been doubted, and he's constantly proved those doubters wrong. He's become a very solid player in the NFL, and he has been a very good addition in Pittsburgh.

Who Has Been Steelers Best Free Agent Signing In 2023?

The Steelers signed him to a three-year, $18 million contract, which looks like a bargain at this point. Steelers.com's Dale Lolley was also right in one assessment: Holcomb may have been the team's most important free agent signing from the 2023 offseason. That's no offense to left guard Isaac Seumalo, who has settled in nicely in his own right over the past few games.

Holcomb has been able to stabilize the linebacker room, and he hasn't been the only one that's stepped up. Veterans Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts haven't played as much as they're typically accustomed to, but they have played well when on the field. The defense now has a legitimate three-man rotation with those guys in the fold, while it's allowed Robinson to mature and develop from the bench.

As aforementioned, the 2022 seventh-rounder hasn't seen the field much at all on defense. On the flip side, he has become a core special teams contributor, which was very needed with the valuable guys that the team lost over the summer. He may not see the field in 2023, unless an injury occurs to one of the top three guys. For awhile in the offseason, it seemed like Robinson may be inserted into a huge role. 

It's obvious that he wasn't quite ready for that, despite reports that he had improved, specifically in pass coverage. That was held true when the team signed Alexander, presumably to be the third off-ball linebacker in the rotation, just before the season. Hats off to the front office for fixing this group, and Holcomb has been a big part of that. In the meantime, keep that mullet.

How big of a signing has Holcomb been for the Steelers? Do you trust the defense's three-man rotation at linebacker? Do you think we will see more of Robinson at all on defense in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

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