The Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker group in 2022 put together a solid effort collecting a total of 285 tackles on defense and special teams, but lacked big playmaking ability. The unit failed to force or recover a fumble, didn't intercept a single pass, and Robert Spillane registered the only sack way back in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
One of the team's prized off-season acquisitions, Myles Jack, found success early in the year by playing lots, collecting double-digit combined tackles in the first three weeks of the season, but a nagging groin injury forced him to miss a full game against the New Orleans Saints and be pulled from the team's second meeting of the season against the Baltimore Ravens after playing just six snaps. Despite the setbacks, the former Jacksonville Jaguars second-round pick still managed to have a successful first year in the Steel City registering a team-leading 104 tackles, extending his streak of more than 100 tackles to three years.
The unsung hero of the unit was Spillane. The Western Michigan product started the season rotating in for Bush and Jack, but down the stretch played in 100 percent of defensive snaps in the final four weeks as the team hung on to faint playoff hopes.
Steelers Inside Linebacker Group in 2023
The makeup of the team's inside linebacking core is likely going to change with Bush, Spillane, and special teamer, Marcus Allen all headed to unrestricted free agency.
All signs point to divorce between the organization and Bush, despite an improved season from 2021. A change of scenery seems like the best option for both sides in 2023. Spillane, who was in Mike Tomlin's good books this season, while Bush was in the doghouse, should probably get a new contract to become his full-time replacement.
While the cap hit for Jack is high at $11.25 million per Sportrac for 2023, the Steelers can't afford to cut him for the cap savings leaving Robinson, an exciting, but unproven prospect, as the only inside linebacker with real NFL experience signed for 2023.
"The question is if the Steelers think Robinson, a seventh-round draft pick in 2022, is ready to step in," he asked. "Robinson has ball-hunting instincts but remains raw when it comes to diagnosing NFL passing games. If he can make a big jump heading into his second season, he could be one of the steals of the 2022 draft. He'll obviously get that opportunity."
The veteran writer speculated that the team may want to hold onto late-season pickup Tae Crowder as a cheap insurance option with some experience. Drafted with the last pick in 2020 by the New York Giants, the Georgia product started all 17 games in 2021 for the team that drafted him. Falling out of favor in 2022, he played in 13 games starting in 8 before being scooped up by Pittsburgh.
The Steelers might also have an eye on bringing in a rookie through the draft to solidify the depth of the group. As the team goes through their own evaluations of the position, it will be interesting to see what they decide to do. The team could also look at some of the top options in free agency to address a need for a starter at the position.
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