Steelers' Concerns At Defensive Position Put To Rest By Former Player Ahead Of 2024 Regular Season: "That Unit Looks Stable"

The Pittsburgh Steelers made many improvements during the offseason, but one of the biggest was to the inside linebackers room. The once weak and easily exploited area of the team was the recipient of the largest free agency signing in team history: Patrick Queen. 

The defense's Achilles heel has been the inside linebacker room ever since Ryan Shazier's tragic injury in 2017. They felt they found the answers in 2023 when they signed Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, and Kwon Alexander, and for a time, they did. Then Holcomb and Alexander suffered season-ending injuries, and Roberts was left trying to pick up the slack along with several depth pieces.  

Opposing offenses exploited this weaker area of the team, and when it became clear that Holcomb might not be ready for the 2024 season, they had to find new solutions. The current 53-man roster contains a mixture of old and new, including Queen, Roberts, the newly drafted Payton Wilson, Tyler Matakevich, and Mark Robinson. 

Former Steelers linebackers Arthur Moats and Terence Garvin praised the current group on Moats' show, The Arthur Moats Show. 

"I thought E-Rob [Elandon Roberts] played a real good game the last game," said Garvin. "I thought he played well, communicated well, he talked well, he controlled the D-line pretty well. He didn't seem lost out there. He runs, he hits. Real big body. Kinda like Vince [Williams], like downhill. I think he's a good linebacker. I like the 50 [Roberts] and 6 [Patrick Queen] combination. That's solid. 41 [Payton Wilson] play is like your slasher."

Robinson was a seventh-round pick in 2022 and is slowly gaining traction. He couldn't fill in for Holcomb or Alexander alone last season, but he did step up in those final games, including a critical sack during the last game. He has also been an invaluable member of the special teams unit. 

Matakevich was also a seventh-round pick, but in 2016. He spent four seasons in black and gold before signing with the Buffalo Bills. He returned to Pittsburgh this offseason. A known commodity on the special teams unit for blocking punts, Matakevich brings stability to a changing part of the game.   

"I love the linebackers," added Garvin. "I think that unit looks stable, real stable. The fluidness, they're playing well together. I like Patrick Queen a lot. Mark Robinson played a real good game. It was productive. You gotta keep Dirty Red [Tyler Matakevich] that's the dawg on the team. People don't realize the impact of blocking a punt. That's major. The impact he brings on special teams, just like Miles Killebrew, both those guys can block a punt, make a big play. That changes games."

It is easy to get excited over the talent the Steelers have amassed in this room. From Queen's pass coverage, to Wilson's freak athleticism, they seem to have it all. If this group can avoid the injuries that have plagued their predecessors, they could help the defense take it up a notch. This can also allow Minkah Fitzpatrick to stay where he belongs on the field and get back to playing "Minkahball."

Steelers' Secondary Still A Concern

Heading into the offseason, the inside linebacker position was one of the biggest concerns cited for the Steelers' defense; the other was the secondary. Last season was a disaster, with Patrick Peterson unable to contribute enough and Joey Porter Jr., while talented, couldn't do it all alone. This led to Fitzpatrick having to play out of position. 

While the team brought Donte Jackson in with the trade of Diontae Johnson, many are still worried about the cornerback position. The current roster has Beanie Bishop Jr., an undrafted rookie free agent, as the starting nickelback. Many feel that the 5'9" slot corner won't be able to hang with opposing offenses. The Steelers re-signed Cam Sutton, but he is suspended for eight games, which means they likely need someone else for at least the first several games. The question is who they can find to bring on board?

How do you feel about the inside linebacker room? Click to comment below. 

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