Steelers Have An Unsung Hero That Will Be Crucial To Team Success In 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a lot of different faces come in and out of the inside linebacker room over the last handful of seasons. The organization has been on a hunt for stability at the position ever since Ryan Shazier suffered his horrific injury during the 2017 campaign, and the franchise finally might have found it. General Manager Omar Khan went out and signed Patrick Queen during free agency, and Pittsburgh got lucky as Payton Wilson fell to Pittsburgh in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In addition to Queen and Wilson, Pittsburgh also has Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb. Holcomb is working his way back from a gruesome knee injury which ended his 2023 season, and his availability going forward is still up in the air. 

Roberts was the lone Steelers inside linebacker who started the season in 2023 and ended it while remaining relatively healthy. He suffered some bumps and bruises, and missed the team's Week 17 game against the Seattle Seahawks, but he was by far the most healthy player at the position.

During a recent appearance on The North Shore Drive Podcast, Brian Batko suggested that Roberts will play an important role in 2024, as he is the glue that will help the new additions at linebacker gel with the rest of the defense.

"You sign Patrick Queen, draft Payton Wilson, so Elandon Roberts is sort of the glue to try and hold things together now. And he is a great glue to have as far as his mentality and his football character and leadership."

Roberts is an unquestioned leader in the inside linebacker room. He led the Steelers in tackles during the 2023 season, and was their best linebacker against the run. Until Holcomb is fully cleared and has recovered from his injury, Roberts will be the only player returning from the Steelers' inside linebacker room, not named Mark Robinson, that played meaningful snaps during the 2023 season.

Roberts was signed by Pittsburgh during the 2023 offseason. He came to Pittsburgh with tons of experience already, which made him such an attractive potential addition. Roberts began his career with the New England Patriots and then went to the Miami Dolphins. He was a primary starter with New England during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, was a starter with Miami during all three of his seasons there from 2020 through 2022.

Not only does Roberts have playing experience, but he also has experience making deep playoff runs. He won two Super Bowls during his time in New England. This is valuable to Pittsburgh, as they brought in a player who knows what a championship locker room looks like. This was a trend for the Steelers during the 2023 offseason, as Isaac Seumalo was also signed, who played in two Super Bowls with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Queen is the big-name free agent, and Wilson is the exciting young prospect who could be the steal of the draft. Both of them will impress in 2024 and show what they are capable of, but it cannot be overstated how important Roberts' play and leadership will be to the Steelers defense during the 2024 season.

Steelers Will Have An Important Decision To Make Following The 2024 Season

Roberts should have a big year lined up alongside Queen and Wilson, and the Steelers only have him signed through the 2024 season. He will be a free agent once the season concludes, which is a big reason the Steelers went ahead and drafted a linebacker. They could potentially replace Roberts with a player on a rookie contract.

Pittsburgh will also have another option. If Holcomb isn't able to fully recover from his injury, or comes back and just isn't the same, Pittsburgh will be able to release him from the last year of his contract for relatively cheap. 

If Holcomb is released following the 2024 season Pittsburgh will only incur a dead cap hit of $1.6 million, and they could use the $6 million in savings to re-sign Roberts. Queen and Wilson are going to be staples in the Steelers inside linebacker room moving forward, but Holcomb and Roberts futures could be in question.