Steelers Insider Believes Team Can Fix The Inside Linebacker Position With Devin White

The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to find an inside linebacker ever since Ryan Shazier was tragically injured in 2017. They thought they had the position all sorted out in 2023 with some free agency signings including Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander. The injury bug once again stymied those plans as Holcomb went down with a significant knee injury and Alexander tore his Achilles tendon. Now that 2024 is looming, the team is once again faced with decisions and a familiar name has resurfaced. 

One of the Steelers' most frustrating swings and misses was when they drafted linebacker Devin Bush in 2019. They made an unusually aggressive move to go up the draft board and get him and ever since, speculation has swirled that he wasn't the "Devin" they were after. Now, Mike DeFabo, an NFL insider and reporter with The Athletic, has once again given life to that old rumor by reminding folks that Devin White is a free agent this offseason. 

DeFabo recently appeared on the Locked On Steelers Podcast which is hosted by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports reporter, Chris Carter. The two were discussing possible free agent moves the team could make and of course, had to discuss the inside linebacker situation. 

"I love the idea of Devin White. Remember a couple of years back when they got Devin Bush, everyone was talking about the two Devins and which one was going to fall to the Steelers? They were going to finally fix their inside linebacker position. Now a few years later, Devin White's not going to completely fix things, but I do like what he brings to the table and I think if you add an inside linebacker at a minimum in free agency, then you can add another in the draft and round out that room," said DeFabo.

White, who played at LSU, went just five picks ahead of Bush to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He put his powerful pass-rushing abilities to use and helped Tampa win a Super Bowl. He is known to be a bit unorthodox in his style, but is strong and his work either is second to none. But he struggled in 2023 with an injury and the Buccaneers chose not to renew his contract. 

Matters were made worse when he was medically cleared to play after a foot injury, but White and Head Coach Todd Bowles made the call for him to be inactive. This led the always-opinionated Richard Sherman, to say that White "quit on his team." Despite White denying this, it could hurt his stock and hopefully make him affordable.   

It would also give White a fresh start with a team that values strong players who give it 100%. Carter said that having White helps take some of the pressure off. The hope is that Holcomb can come back healthy, plus the Steelers would still have Elandon Roberts. DeFabo said the Steelers can't count on anything, they have to plan for that worst-case scenario.

"Typically, the last couple of years they've relied on a three-man rotation. Kwon Alexander tore his Achilles, I would not sign a guy coming off a torn Achilles. I don't imagine he would be in their plans. I don't know that for certain, but you're going to need to replace at least one. And then if Cole Holcomb's not ready, so if you got a guy in free agency, then you're rounding out that room. That would be a really wise way to go," added DeFabo.

During his time in Tampa, White has amassed 566 total tackles, 23 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. As for Roberts, the Steelers signed him to a two-year, $7 million contract, before the start of 2023. Roberts, who is entering his ninth year in the league, was able to push through pain from an injured pec muscle and close out the season. It wasn't the first time that Roberts was able to continue to play last season and it made him one of the most reliable members of the defense.  

Did The Steelers Hit On A Bust With Devin Bush?

Former Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert took a lot of heat for the selection of Bush. But fans often forget how excited they initially were. During his rookie season, Bush showed promise, banking 109 total tackles and two interceptions. The 2020 season even got off to a strong start. He played in the first five games and recorded 26 total tackles and a sack. When he tore his ACL during the Week 6 game, everyone was upset his season would end there. 

When Bush returned in 2021, he did not seem like the same player. He had 70 total tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. Everyone knew 2022 would be a make-or-break year for him, he'd either come back healthy and strong, or need to find a new home. 

Unfortunately, there wasn't enough of a change. He only started 14 out of 17 games and had 81 total tackles and two deflected passes. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option and the Seattle Seahawks signed him to a one-year contract. Despite all of his sour grapes talk when he left, he didn't bring anything new. He started three out of the 13 games played and recorded 37 tackles.   

Do you think the Steelers wanted the other "Devin" in 2019? Click to comment below.

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