Steelers re-sign veteran LB

Markus Golden is back with the Steelers. Per a team announcement, the veteran edge rusher re-signed with Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Golden was released by the Cardinals last offseason after a disappointing campaign. The 33-year-old recorded just 2.5 sacks in 2022 after reaching double-digits for the third time in his career the previous season. He took a one-year Steelers contract shortly after hitting free agency in the spring, weighing offers from other suitors.

No assurances were made regarding Golden’s playing time in Pittsburgh, an unsurprising acknowledgment from the Missouri alum considering the presence of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith along the edge. Golden made 16 appearances during his debut Steelers campaign, but he logged only 230 defensive snaps. Despite that limited role, he managed to post four sacks and ten quarterback hits.

Watt and Highsmith are still atop the depth chart, so Golden will likely handle a similar workload if he makes the 53-man roster out of training camp this time. Pittsburgh did not have an experienced edge rusher aside from the starters before Thursday’s Golden reunion. A veteran of 127 games, the former second-rounder will spend the coming weeks getting back up to speed with a familiar defense.

Golden started Pittsburgh’s wild-card loss with Watt out of the lineup through injury. Missed time on the latter’s part or Highsmith’s could pave the way for first-team responsibilities. For now, though, Golden will aim to secure the rotational role he held last year as he prepares for a 10th career season.