Former Steelers LB Arthur Moats Absolutely Astounded With 1 Player's Unusual Accomplishment

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a difficult 2023 season for a variety of reasons. One of the biggest factors has been injuries, especially at the inside linebacker position. The defense was counting on Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander to set the pace for the defense. Both of them had a strong start to the season and the defense was thriving. They were able to keep Pittsburgh in games over and over again until the offense could get some points on the board. They even almost won a game single-handedly in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns by scoring two defensive touchdowns. But as the injuries began to stack up and the suspension of Damontae Kazee was issued, things began to fall apart. Now, one former Steelers linebacker is giving props to Myles Jack, who stepped up and got to do something few retired defensive players get to do: come back and have an impact. 

The Steelers offense has struggled all season, which led to the firing of Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada after the loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 11. The team was able to beat the Cincinnati Bengals during Week 12 and Steeler Nation all breathed a sigh of relief. The scourge had been excised and the team would be fine. Then they dropped three in a row to sub-par opponents. 

The offense cannot take all the blame for the losses - but they definitely deserve some. The defense also fell apart. As they had to pull players up from the practice squad and move veterans around to compensate, it was obvious that T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Alex Highsmith, couldn't do it all. While many of the players that were elevated were new to fans, there was one familiar face in Myles Jack. 

Steelers' Myles Jack Did Something Exceptional

One former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats, applauds Jack for his return and his performance in the Steelers' most recent win against the Bengals. Few players can come off their couch and go in and have an impact. Moats now hosts a podcast called The Arthur Moats Experience, and on a recent episode, he broke down the win over the Bengals and discussed Jack's performance. 

"Myles though man, I felt for him, and I was happy for him. I'm like, 'Yo, I know they stressing you out over there.' 'Cause when Elandon Roberts went down, I said oh no that instantly put Myles Jack in the captain's chair, in the driver's seat, green dot the boy. Yeah, that's a whole 'nother level of pressure, to come off the sideline, come off the couch and you're playing Batman or you're playing Robin."

Jack, who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, was picked up by Pittsburgh in 2022. The hope was that Jack would be able to support the struggling Devin Bush and alleviate some of the problems on defense. Unfortunately, Jack was a bit injury-prone and the Steelers ended up cutting him. But the Steelers brought Jack back after that loss to the Browns during Week 11.  

Not only did Jack return, but with Elandon Roberts out with an injury, he also wore the green dot. Like Moats was saying, it is one thing to come in and be a cog in the machine - i.e. Robin and another thing to come in and be the leader - i.e. Batman. This was no small feat and Moats was impressed. 

"My man was over there having to make calls, he getting the caller through the helmet, I'm like, 'Yo! He's going through it right now!' But I thought he played well all things considered. It's hard to get thrown into that thing like that and then the role you're supposed to be in gets altered midgame and now you got to take on a totally new role with more responsibilities, more challenges, and stuff like that. I commend him in a major way, that's professionalism to the utmost degree. So salute on him," said Moats with admiration.

Jack, who thought he'd retired, told the media when he returned initially that he had been doing all he could to stay in shape. But as Moats pointed out, playing some basketball or hitting the gym at home isn't the same as being on the practice squad and being prepared to be called up. Not only did Jack return, but he leapt over veteran Blake Martinez on the depth chart. 

Martinez also came out of retirement to join the Carolina Panthers practice squad. Just weeks after signing with the Panthers, the Steelers signed him to their practice squad. Now it seems likely that both Martinez and Jack will get another shot during the Steelers' Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on the West Coast. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin is famous for saying that the difference between starters and backups is opportunity and Jack cannot deny he got the opportunity. If he plays as hard as he did against the Bengals during Week 17, it would be hard to claim he isn't taking advantage of that opportunity. Moats was a player who had to make the most out of the opportunities he was given and he has a soft spot for someone like Jack, who is walking a similar path. 

What do you think about Jack coming back to the Steelers and his latest performance? Click to comment below.

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