Steelers reuniting with LB Elandon Roberts could be a sneaky-good move

Elandon Roberts. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Steelers reuniting with LB Elandon Roberts could be a sneaky-good move

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Aug 12, 2026 10:41 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers brought back a familiar face on Wednesday night, just 24 hours before the start of their preseason schedule, by agreeing to terms with inside linebacker Elandon Roberts on a one-year contract.

Roberts spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Steelers, before joining the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2025 season where he played under current Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

It might be a sneaky-good signing for a Steelers team that needs to improve its play against the run.

Elandon Roberts could give Steelers run defense significant boost this season

The Steelers' current middle linebacker duo of Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson provides plenty of speed and athleticism, giving them the ability to play in coverage and even blitz when asked. But neither one of them is an overly effective run-stopper, and at times they can be pushed around against run-heavy teams.

Reunion: veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts, who played in Pittsburgh during the 2023-2024 seasons, reached agreement today with the Steelers on a one-year deal, per source. pic.twitter.com/Zpg0I72ghQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2026

That could be an especially big problem in the AFC North where two games against Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens could dramatically swing the division.

While Roberts is not anywhere near as athletic as the Queen-Wilson duo, he is far more impactful against the run. He is a straight-ahead, down-hill tackler who is not afraid to play a smashmouth game against tougher, ground-and-pound teams.

The Steelers allowed 114 yards per game on the ground in 2025, and 4.3 yards per attempt. Both numbers were average-to-below-average across the NFL. It is definitely an area they need to improve, and the return of Roberts at least has the potential to help them do that.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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