3 biggest weaknesses on the Steelers heading into the 2020 season
By Tommy Jaggi
Inside linebacker
2019 rookie linebacker, Devin Bush, showed an immense amount of promise last year, but it’s going to take more than that to keep this group from being a liability to the defense in 2020.
After losing both Mark Barron and Tyler Matakevich this offseason, Pittsburgh quite literally did nothing in the way of replacing them. Instead, they simply bumped the next guys up into bigger roles.
Ulysees Gilbert and Robert Spillane have combined for just one career defensive snap (you heard that right), yet Keith Butler is counting on them to be the Steelers third and fourth inside linebackers in 2020, respectively.
In addition, Vince Williams is no spring chicken. After playing just 37 percent of snaps for the Steelers in 2019, the 30-year-old linebacker is sure to see that number spike in 2020. Unfortunately, Williams has proven to be a liability in coverage, but the Steelers may not have a choice if Gilbert isn’t ready to step into that role.
If Pittsburgh’s inside linebackers (minus Bush) seem to be ineffective, the Steelers could be rolling with a lot more sub-package defensive looks this year – something that could come back to bite them if teams start to get aggressive on the ground. Let’s hope their backups rise to the occasion.