The Steelers Best And Most Realistic External Options At Inside Linebacker During 2023 Free Agency

The NFL's free agency period it set to ramp up for the Pittsburgh Steelers and 31 other franchises. The moves every team makes will give fans a better idea of what plans might be for the 2023 NFL Draft in April. In Pittsburgh, the weak spots for the organization are no secret. The offensive and defensive lines are top concerns as well as the need for reinforcements at cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver. 

Whether general manager, Omar Khan will address these areas in free agency, the draft or both is anyone's guess. Let's take a look at the inside linebacker position, which is a main area of concern at this time.

Myles Jack and Mark Robinson are the only two, as of now, who played on the team in 2022 and are under contract for 2023. Pittsburgh could look to get better at the position in both free agency and the draft due to the current lack of depth at the position. The free agent class is rather deep for inside linebackers and there will be many cost efficient options.

The Steelers are expected to restructure some contracts as well as part ways with players like William Jackson III in order to generate cap space. When all is a said and done, over $40 million in spendable cash could be available. Staying away from big-name options like Bobby Wagner, Tremaine Edmunds and recently released, Eric Kendricks, here are three affordable and realistic options:

1.) Leighton Vander Esch - Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys and Vander Esch are reportedly nowhere close on a new contract for him. After a Pro Bowl appearance following his rookie campaign in 2018, he struggled with injuries the next two seasons. The 2021 and 2022 seasons saw a different narrative and he has started a total of 31 games the last two years.

A change of scenery might be good for him and he would be bring a first round pedigree and five years of experience to help improve the inside linebackers' room. Pro Football Focus has his next contract projected at around $6.75 million a year, which is well within range for Pittsburgh.

2.) Bobby Okereke - Indianapolis Colts

Okereke was all over the field for the Colts in 2022. He had 151 total tackles and had two forced and recovered fumbles. He played in all 17 games and was a model of consistency. He also had a career-high six tackles for loss. PFF has his potential value listed at around $8.5 million a year.

The Steelers drafted Devin Bush 10th overall in 2019 and that has been heavily criticized. Okereke went 89th overall to Indianapolis and Pittsburgh selected cornerback, Justin Layne just six picks before him. The franchise could right both of those mistakes from 2019 going after Okereke in free agency.

3.) David Long Jr. - Tennessee Titans

Long is bound to be the most expensive on this list. He could demand nearly $14 million per year, but is well worth the investment. he does have an injury history which typically scares teams like the Steelers off, but he played in the most games of his career in 2022 and put up some solid numbers.

Long had 86 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, fives passed defended three QB hits and two interceptions. He would be a solid player to play alongside Jack and if he stays healthy, could end up being a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker. He's definitely a guy to keep an eye on.

Don't Rule Out Steelers Bringing Back A Familiar Face

Pittsburgh may attempt to bring back one of their own rather than go all in on an external candidate. Robert Spillane played well towards the end of the 2022 season and re-signing him and drafting an inside linebacker may be just what the franchise decides to do due to Spillane's familiarity with the defense and organization certainly would be a more Pittsburgh-esque move.

Who do you want to see the Steelers go after this offseason to bolster their inside linebacking core?