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The Pittsburgh Steelers spent years trying to figure out the inside linebacker position after the gruesome injury that Ryan Shazier suffered back during the 2017 season. The organization got aggressive and traded up to select Devin Bush with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he wound up struggling after tearing his ACL. The struggles at the position continued for Pittsburgh, until the 2024 season came around. The Steelers were able to sign Patrick Queen in free agency, and drafting Payton Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft also paid dividends.
Wilson and Queen both played well during the 2024 season, as did veteran Elandon Roberts. Roberts left Pittsburgh in free agency during the 2025 offseason, and the Steelers replaced him with Malik Harrison from the Baltimore Ravens. Cole Holcomb is also back in the fold after recovering from his brutal knee injury that happened during the 2023 season. He was the leading tackler for Pittsburgh's defense during that season up until his injury, so he could make an immediate impact in 2025.
In addition to Queen, Wilson, Holcomb, and Harrison, Pittsburgh also drafted Carson Bruener in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and Mark Robinson is still on the roster as well. It is a crowded room, and Wilson spoke to the media about it after practice on Thursday. He made his desired role pretty clear.
"Yeah I mean, like I said since last year, whatever they need me to do, you know I'm going to do it," Wilson said. "Obviously, I want to be out there every single snap trying to prove myself. Out here in OTAs and camp, I do that, but whatever is handed to me, it's been great being out there every snap. But I'll do whatever I can to help this team win."
In 2024, Wilson played mainly on passing downs, while Roberts was more of a run-stuffer. Queen was on the field for every snap, and he likely will be again in 2025. Wilson doesn't sound like he wants to split snaps with anybody, and he wants to be on the field no matter what the situation is. He is open to any role, which is a good thing for the team, but he wants to be out there for every play.
Holcomb is who makes the linebacker room so interesting. He has not played since being injured back in 2023, and it has been somewhat of a surprise that Pittsburgh has hung onto him throughout his recovery and heading into the 2025 season. He was an above-average linebacker for Pittsburgh prior to the injury, and he should be able to play himself back into that form. It will be interesting to watch the amount of time he is on the field versus how often Wilson is on the field.
Holcomb is a veteran that is entering the final season of his contract, and Wilson is a second-year player who seems to have a ton of potential. It should be a priority for Pittsburgh to expose Wilson to as much game as possible so he is able to improve, with Holcomb filling in when needed.
Steelers Other Linebackers Are Likely Non-Factors In The Rotation
Players like Bruener and Robinson will likely only be used on special teams, assuming they both make the initial 53-man roster. Robinson has been on the roster for three seasons now, and it has become crystal clear that his ceiling in Pittsburgh is as a teamer. Bruener could carve out a role for himself somewhere down the line, but that likely won't happen until later on.
Harrison is the only one out of those three that could see some playing time consistently on defense. He is a decent run-stuffer, so he might see the field in short-yardage situations or on the goal line.
What do you want to see from Wilson in his second season?
More must-reads:
- Colts' QB decision makes no sense, sets stage for wasted season
- New report sheds light on how Cowboys view Micah Parsons situation
- The '2024 NFL rushing TD leaders' quiz
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Chicago Bears looking at bringing back familiar face at running back
The Chicago Bears don’t appear satisfied with their running back room with one week left to decide the 53-man roster. The Bears have until Aug. 26 to make their final cuts before preparing for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. The Bears entered training camp with questions at running back. Veteran D’Andre Swift had a down year in 2024. Roschon Johnson isn’t a long-term solution, and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai will have a steep learning curve when the regular season begins. The Chicago Bears worked out a former running back Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC, the Bears worked out running backs Royce Freeman, undrafted rookie Kylin James and former Carolina Panthers practice-squad player Dillon Johnson. Royce Freeman played with the Bears in 2024 Of the three, Freeman is the only running back with stats at the NFL level. Freeman, a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018, has appeared in 79 games and started nine games. He’s rushed 471 times for 1,472 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bears signed Freeman to the practice squad in December. He was then signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad in January. He last played a regular-season game in 2023, when he added 319 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games for the Rams. The Bears are signaling their need for a running back this summer. There are other options available in the trade market, as the Washington Commanders are shopping Brian Robinson Jr. during the preseason. More running backs will be available after other teams trim their rosters to 53 players, but they might not be the type of athletes to make a significant boost for the offense early in the regular season.
Giants have firm stance on possible Jameis Winston trade
The New York Giants have one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the NFL, and there has been speculation that Jameis Winston could be the odd man out when the regular season begins. It does not sound like Winston is going anywhere, however. Russell Wilson is expected to be the Giants' starting quarterback in Week 1. The big question is whether Jaxson Dart or Winston will enter the year as Wilson's primary backup. Dart has played well through two preseason games, and Brian Daboll and his coaching staff have raved about the former Ole Miss star. Some have wondered if the Giants could entertain trade offers for Winston should they decide they view Dart as their No. 2 quarterback. Assistant general manager Brandon Brown was asked about that on Tuesday, and he all but ruled it out. "I appreciate people that are interested, but Jameis is a New York Giant. The way that he's gone about his business from day one, he's made it very intentional of the fact that he wants to be here and he wants to be here for the long haul," Brown said. "Teammates love him. His preparation process, whether it's the off-field things that he does in terms of community relations, Bible studies, things in the locker room, galvanizing the group together — not just the quarterback room, but the offense as a whole. "He's been comic relief, but he's also been a really good example of how to be a pro and handle your business in terms of prehab, rehab and postgame care. So, I'm happy he's here, and he's gonna continue to do those things. He hasn't wavered, and he hasn't been shaken by any distractions at all." Winston signed a two-year, $8M contract with the Giants in free agency this offseason. The deal could climb as high as $16M with incentives, but he would need to play quite a bit to hit those. The Giants value Winston's extensive experience, just as they value Dart's upside. There is a reason they signed both Wilson and Winston and traded up to draft Dart. They believe in all three players, and they likely will not be inclined to trade Winston unless they receive an excellent offer.
Packers' blockbuster trade pitch adds Micah Parsons for huge price
Speculation linking Dallas Cowboys All-Pro edge-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers continues to gain momentum as the star’s holdout amid stalled contract negotiations seems as far apart as ever. Parsons, two weeks ago, publicly requested a trade and continues to hold-in during Cowboys training camp, while there is a belief that Green Bay is attempting to pull off a blockbuster trade. Potential Packers-Micah Parsons Blockbuster Trade Package Parsons, 26, has posted 52.5 sacks through his first four seasons and is one of the most dominant players at his position. He is the kind of difference-maker who could cement Green Bay as a legitimate Super Bowl contender for years to come. But prying Parsons away from the Cowboys wouldn’t come cheap. "You’d want to hope to trade no more than three good young players for one elite player," an NFL executive and former general manager said to me recently of what a Parsons trade package might look like. Given that strategy, it isn’t difficult to envision Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst offering a package of players and picks that looks something like: Packers Trade: 2026 first-round NFL Draft choice, 2027 first-round draft choice, WR Romeo Doubs, EDGE Lukas Van Ness Cowboys Trade: Micah Parsons Trading two first-round picks is likely the starting point for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys in any Parsons negotiations. For the Packers, trading Van Ness would be offering a change of scenery for a former first-round draft choice who has yet to live up to expectations, and upgrading the position with a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player. Meanwhile, shipping Doubs to Dallas clears a logjam at wide receiver, while helping the Cowboys round out a balanced receiving corps that would include CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Doubs as perhaps the most prolific collection of talent Dak Prescott has had in his career. Whether Parsons’ trade request is anything more than posturing remains to be seen, but if the Cowboys open up trade talks, this package could be the kind of trade that nets Green Bay a difference-maker.
Fever receive devastating injury news on Sophie Cunningham
Injuries continue to be the pitfall for the Indiana Fever this season. Per ESPN, Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has been ruled out for the rest of the season following a knee injury she suffered in Indiana's 99-93 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. The injury comes with nine games left in the regular season for the Fever. At 19-16, Indiana has the third-best record in the Eastern Conference and is set to make a playoff push this summer. The Fever have been without second-year star Caitlin Clark since July 15, as the guard has been dealing with a groin injury. The team hopes she can return in the regular season, but Indiana could be significantly shorthanded on offense until her return. Cunningham has averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 30 games played this season. She has been crucial as a rotational player, averaging 25.2 minutes for the Fever. The 29-year-old became an early darling of the WNBA this season for standing up for Clark both on and off the court. Cunningham recently signed a podcast deal with Colin Cowherd. The good news for Cunningham is that she is expected to make a full recovery. However, the injury will crush what could have been a special season for the Fever if and when Clark returns.
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