Steelers 2026 Training Camp Preview: Inside Linebackers

For years, inside linebacker was one of the Steelers’ biggest question marks. Injuries, inconsistent play, and constant roster turnover prevented the position from becoming a strength.

Now, entering 2026, the group finally looks far more stable.

Patrick Queen returns to anchor the defense in his third season with Pittsburgh, while former third-round pick Payton Wilson appears ready for a larger role after a solid sophomore campaign. Veteran Cole Holcomb is finally healthy after one of the most devastating injuries any player could face in their career, and last year’s free-agent addition Malik Harrison provides experienced depth and physicality.

Under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, this group could be asked to play differently than it did under Teryl Austin. Whether that means more blitzes, more versatility, or simply more consistency remains to be seen, but the talent is there for the Steelers to field one of their better inside linebacker units in recent years.

Patrick Queen

The Steelers made one of the biggest free-agent splashes of the 2024 offseason when they signed former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen to a three-year, $41 million contract. Fresh off his first Pro Bowl selection after posting a career-high 133 tackles in Baltimore, Queen arrived in Pittsburgh expected to become the centerpiece of the defense.

The transition wasn’t seamless. Queen admitted early in his first season with the Steelers that learning a new defense after spending four years in Baltimore came with its challenges. As the year progressed, however, he became increasingly comfortable and began producing the type of performances Pittsburgh envisioned when they signed him.

He remained a steady presence throughout 2025, recording his first sack of the year during the Steelers’ international victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin.

Following the season, Queen was honored with the organization’s prestigious “The Chief” Award, recognizing the player who best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation with the media.

Now entering his third season in Pittsburgh, Queen is firmly established as the leader of the inside linebacker room. With a new defensive coordinator, the Steelers will look for Queen to elevate an already talented unit and become the consistent game-changing presence they envisioned when they brought him over from Baltimore.

Payton Wilson

Fans soon forget, but the Steelers acquired the draft pick used to select Payton Wilson by quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles. Whether that trade has paid off is still to be determined.

During his rookie season, Wilson entered training camp with questions surrounding his durability after an injury-filled college career and upon learning he was missing a ligament in his knee.

Wilson silenced any doubters, finishing his rookie campaign with 64 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a defensive touchdown while appearing in all 17 regular season games before making his postseason debut.

His second season proved to be an even bigger step forward. Wilson became a full-time starter and one of the Steelers’ most productive defenders, totaling 126 tackles while adding two sacks and another interception. His first sack came against the Seahawks in Week 2, while his second interception helped seal a victory over the Colts. As his confidence grew, so did his role, helping Pittsburgh capture the AFC North.

Now entering his third NFL season, Wilson looks poised to become one of the cornerstones of the Steelers’ defense. Alongside Patrick Queen, Pittsburgh believes it has one of the league’s fastest and most athletic inside linebacker duos. Wilson’s versatility as a blitzer, coverage linebacker, and sideline-to-sideline playmaker could make him one of the biggest breakout candidates on the roster.

Cole Holcomb

The Steelers signed Cole Holcomb to a three-year, $18 million contract during the 2023 offseason, expecting the veteran linebacker to bring leadership and stability to the middle of their defense.

Holcomb quickly established himself as a key contributor before his first season in Pittsburgh came to a heartbreaking end. In Week 9, he suffered a devastating knee injury that not only ended his 2023 campaign but also forced him to miss the entire 2024 season while recovering.

Before the injury, he had totaled 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two passes defended, showing the physical style of play that made him an attractive free-agent addition.

After spending 2024 on the reserve/PUP list, Holcomb finally returned to the field during the 2025 preseason and participated fully throughout training camp. While his role shifted from full-time starter to experienced depth, his return gave the Steelers another dependable veteran in the linebacker room.

Pittsburgh showed its confidence in Holcomb by signing him to a two-year contract extension during the 2026 offseason, ensuring one of the defense’s respected veterans remains part of the roster.

Entering training camp, Holcomb may no longer be competing for an every-down role, but his experience, football intelligence, and leadership continue to make him a valuable piece of the defense. If injuries strike or the Steelers need a steady presence in the middle, Holcomb has already proven he can be counted on.

Malik Harrison

After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, Malik Harrison stayed in the AFC North by signing a two-year, $10 million contract with the Steelers during the 2025 offseason.

Known as a physical run defender and one of the league’s better special teams contributors, Harrison was brought in to strengthen Pittsburgh’s depth at inside linebacker while adding another experienced veteran to the defense. (Essentially, he replaced the equally physical Elandon Roberts.)

Unfortunately, Harrison’s first season in black and gold was interrupted early when a knee injury landed him on injured reserve after Week 1.

Harrison returned midway through the season, rejoining the lineup ahead of Week 9 and providing depth behind Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson. Although his defensive opportunities were limited, his versatility and willingness to contribute on special teams made him a dependable piece of the roster throughout the remainder of the year.

Entering his second season with the Steelers, Harrison remains an part of the inside linebacker rotation, but with a new coaching staff, it’s unknown what his role may look like. Queen and Wilson are expected to handle the bulk of the defensive snaps, and with Holcomb signing a new deal, Harrison might be on the roster bubble.

It all depends on how the new staff views his traits. Mike Tomlin‘s staff would utilize a hammering linebacker such as Vince Williams, Elandon Roberts, or others in specific roles, but Graham and company may view some of Harrison’s limitations, and his inconsistency to remain healthy, as a liability.

The Others

A former first-round pick of Washington in 2021, Jamin Davis arrives in Pittsburgh looking for a fresh start after spending time with Washington, Green Bay, Minnesota, the New York Jets, and Las Vegas. His best NFL season came in 2022 when he led Washington with 104 tackles and added three sacks.

The Steelers signed Davis to a one-year contract during the 2026 offseason, giving the versatile linebacker an opportunity to compete for a roster spot. Entering training camp, he’ll look to earn a role as a depth defender and special teams contributor in a crowded inside linebacker room.

Also coming to camp is former Washington linebacker Carson Bruener, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The son of former Steelers tight end Mark Bruener, Carson finished his college career as a team captain after leading the Huskies with 103 tackles and three interceptions during his final season.

Bruener made his NFL debut in Week 1 of his rookie season and quickly carved out a role on special teams while continuing to develop at inside linebacker. Entering his second training camp, he’ll compete for a roster spot by building on that experience and proving he can contribute both on defense and in the kicking game.