The Steelers lost one of their key players on defense in Devin Bush against Cleveland. Are they prepared to replace him with in house options?
The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an unfortunately familiar situation after their week six win over Cleveland. They must replace their young star linebacker after he tore his ACL on a tackle attempt during the game.
Devin Bush walked off gingerly with the help of trainers and headed into the blue tent. It was not long after that he came out and walked to the locker room and would not return to the game.
It was confirmed after the game that he was feared to have a torn ACL that would require season-ending surgery for the second-year linebacker. The Steelers can not take lightly the effect this will have on the defense for the rest of the season.
Pittsburgh faced a similar battle in 2017 when Ryan Shazier went down. Having to replace the signal-caller on the defensive side of the ball is tough, especially when they are a key part of the way the defensive schemes are run and put together.
The Steelers turned to a mix of the free-agent market and in house options to replace Shazier with Arthur Moats stepping up and Sean Spence being signed to help fill in. The Steelers should be in a much better position this time around to fill the void left by Bush’s season-ending injury in house.
Robert Spillane
Spillane was the “next man up” after Bush exited with the knee injury and took all of the remaining snaps at linebacker. Many people had not heard of him or known much about him but he was quick to introduce himself to the Cleveland Browns and the fans inside Heinz Field.
Spillane was all around the football after he stepped in and finished with 6 tackles (5 solo, 1 assisted) and 1 tackle for loss on a big hit on Austin Hooper on a tight end screen that he blew up. He went from relative unknown to a guy Steelers fans started to like immediately.
He did not shy away from the opportunity and met ball carriers with pain and punishment on his mind. Overall, he proved more than capable as a tackler but, the question is, can he provide the coverage from inside the Steelers need in this defense?
Spillane is a below-average athlete who is not as fast or as quick as Bush. However, Spillane is a fluid runner with little wasted movement in his backpedal and technique.
He had the belief from his teammates and coaches that he could do the job and he did just that. He may have earned himself the first crack at being the starter for the remainder of the season.
Ulysees Gilbert III
Gilbert was taken in the 6th round of the 2019 draft. He made the initial 53-man roster after a solid rookie training camp.
He and Bush have similar traits and athleticism. Bush ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine while Gilbert ran 4.51 at his pro day but their 10-yard and 20-yard splits were nearly identical.
Gilbert had a good preseason in 2019 and was one of the top performers in camp early this season. His speed and athleticism would be welcomed to replace Bush as the team needs a faster linebacker to cover sideline to sideline as Bush does.
Of Spillane and Gilbert, the latter is probably the best bet in coverage situations just due to speed alone. Spillane plays faster than his 40-yard time would suggest but Gilbert both ran fast and plays fast. His closing speed alone helps him much more in coverage.
Gilbert is a second-year player that saw his rookie year ended early with a back injury. Now fully healthy, he has an unforeseen opportunity to make his mark and show what he can do in meaningful snaps for the Steelers.
Marcus Allen
Allen was drafted as a safety in the fifth round out of Penn State in 2018. He spent most of 2018 and 2019 on the practice squad but he was active for 3 games between the two seasons.
This season, he has been active for 4 out of 5 games and played on a bulk of the special team’s snaps. As we touched on early this season, Marcus Allen spent some time in training camp practicing with the linebackers.
His speed and athleticism would fit right into a role Bush plays in the current scheme from Keith Butler. He is a physical athlete that loves hitting whoever comes into his range.
He’s struggled to find a role on defense in his first two seasons but, his willingness to try practicing with the linebackers shows he is selfless and willing to do what it takes for the team to win games.
Allen could also fill in for Spillane on passing situations. If he played well enough with any given snaps, he could also take hold of the starting role until 2021 when Devin Bush returns to the lineup.
Terrell Edmunds
I know what you’re thinking, “Edmunds?! Really?!” Hear me out: Edmunds is a very athletic player with speed and solid tackling.
Edmunds hasn’t been elite as a safety but he has shown flashes of his raw athleticism and speed at points throughout his career. He could be better served to move down into a Mark Barron style role at linebacker.
Barron came into the league as a safety and eventually made his way to a more traditional linebacker role. It provided a much better fit for his style of play and he was able to excel there.
Edmunds may be in line for a similar role change and there is no better time than now to see what it would do for him. With the Steelers getting Sean Davis back, he could move into the safety spot vacated by Edmunds sliding down into linebacker.
Davis is a hard-nosed safety that does better in run support than coverage and could pair well with Minkah. Edmunds would provide good speed and tackling in run support and the athleticism and speed to stick with today’s tight ends and backs in coverage.
No matter what the Steelers decide to do, it appears they are prepared to address the situation in-house. An outside signing for depth isn’t put of the question but the options already in the building can provide the answers they seek in replacing Bush for the rest of 2020.