Steelers Release LB Elandon Roberts

Now 32, Roberts entered the league as a sixth-round pick of the Patriots in 2016. He saw plenty of action as a starter during his time in Foxborough and his subsequent three-year stint with the Dolphins, and he originally joined the Steelers on a two-year, $7MM pact in the 2023 offseason. He played out the full length of that contract and signed with the Raiders last March.

Operating as a full-time starter in Las Vegas, Roberts compiled 90 tackles in 2025. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 51st-best inside ‘backer out of 88 qualifiers, but his strong work against the run made up for abysmal pass rushing and coverage scores. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham — now in Pittsburgh after a four-season run with the Raiders — presumably thought highly enough of Roberts’ efforts with the Silver-and-Black last season to endorse a return to Steelers.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor expressed some surprise at Roberts’ release, saying he “brought a ton of juice” over the last couple of weeks. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests player and team could circle back to each other, as the Steelers are currently deciding whether they want to keep eight or nine linebackers on their 53-man roster. Depending on how the rest of cutdown day plays out, Roberts, may still open the 2026 season in western Pennsyvlania.

For now, 2024 third-rounder Payton Wilson is penciled in alongside Patrick Queen atop Pittsburgh’s ILB depth chart. If Roberts is indeed brought back, he will offer a highly-experienced backup option behind that duo.