Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Matakevich is the “answer”
So, apparently, while everyone was out there searching for offseason signings and first-round draft picks the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider, they were keeping an eye on the player who will actually replace Ryan Shazier.
According to ESPN, Tyler Matakevich is the Steelers’ surprise standout player of the offseason. Jeremy Fowler usually knows what he’s talking about. He says Matakevich is finally playing with the edge that gives him the high ground over offseason signing, Jon Bostic.
Pittsburgh has paid attention. Coming into OTAs, everyone expected Morgan Burnett and Jon Bostic to be the two defensive players to keep an eye on. Burnett, besides being sidelined with an injury, has claimed his role as the starting safety. Bostic, however, is still fighting for playing time.
Right now, Matakevich is the player to watch, not these veteran signings. The seventh-round pick has the starting inside linebacker job under his possession. According to Fowler, Bostic isn’t even fazing him in competition.
"Throughout OTAs, Matakevich assumed the starting inside linebacker job opposite Vince Williams. The free-agent signing of Jon Bostic hasn’t fazed Matakevich, who is holding him off in an attempt to replace Ryan Shazier. The former seventh-round pick doesn’t have great speed, but he has the instincts for the position and plays with an edge. He has shown that this offseason. — Jeremy Fowler"
It’s certainly not his athleticism that’s earning him the spot. Matekevich came into the NFL as the Temple standout who barely heard his name called and has little chance to be anything more than a career backup. Lack of speed and pure athleticism keep his name out of a lot of people’s mouths when talking about the position in Pittsburgh.
But apparently, it’s the determination that’s getting this inside linebacker the job. Not many people make it this far without pure talent, but Matakevich has, and now he’s trying to prove something.
Training Camp is going to be the final test for this third-year standout. He’s looking at more than his nine tackles in 2017, but wants a job much more than filling in. Matakevich is hunting to prove himself to the greatest defensive franchise in the NFL.
It takes quiet a bit to become a linebacker in the city of Pittsburgh. Not everyone is cut out for the job. It takes even more to be a starting linebacker for the black and gold.
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Matakevich was never looked at as someone who’s got what it takes. But oh how he’s proved us all wrong.