Steelers Free Agent Spotlight: LB Stevenson Sylvester
By Kim Myers
Dec 22, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Stevenson Sylvester (55) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Pittsburgh won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
We’re going to stick with the Steelers defense in the free agency spotlights, moving to the linebackers now. This edition focuses on Stevenson Sylvester.
Sylvester was taken by the Steelers as one of their three picks in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft out of Utah. He’s listed as an inside linebacker but has seen the most playing time outside and has mostly contributed on Special Teams. In August of 2013 he was released by the Steelers but then picked up again in October. Last season he was a restricted free agent and the Steelers decided not to tender an offer. He will be an unrestricted free agent on March 11th.
The sad thing is that the most memorable thing about Sylvester is most of the time I can’t remember if his name is Sylvester Stevenson or Stevenson Sylvester. That tells you how much of an impact he has made during his four-year NFL career thus far. In his career he has totaled 34 tackles, four forced fumbles and zero sacks. Obviously, Sylvester isn’t going to be the major focus for this offseason linebacker-wise for fans or the front office.
I doubt the Steelers would have picked Sylvester back up this past October had it not been for the injury to Larry Foote so that should tell you the chances that a contract offer gets extended to the linebacker. Clearly, the Steelers, per GM Kevin Colbert, have been working on figuring out how to afford both LaMarr Woodley and Jason Worilds. Unfortunately, Sylvester hasn’t made a case for himself to stay on the roster, even with his position flexibility. I doubt there’s a future here for him.
What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation? Do you see Stevenson Sylvester as a Steeler in the future?
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