3 winners and 2 losers from Steelers preseason win vs Eagles

Steelers loser: Robert Spillane

There may be no bigger loser on the Steelers over the past day or so than Robert Spillane. Entering camp, his stock was on the rise as the retirement of Vince Williams left him the lone player most likely to start at inside linebacker. His Hall of Fame game performance wasn’t great, and he followed that up with a pretty average showing against the Eagles.

That isn’t the only reason he makes it on the losers list. With Joe Schobert on his way to the team via trade, it seems as though Spillane will become the top-depth linebacker instead of starting. Add the other depth chart inside linebackers not named Buddy Johnson to the losers list as well, as they are back competing for at best one spot on the roster. Don’t get me wrong, this group is improved with the Schobert addition, but the players already on the roster are definitely not benefiting from the deal.

Spillane is still a lock to make this team even if he doesn’t start. He was a core special teams player before, and he is still young enough to resume that role for the Steelers. That said, his odds of being a significant defender at this point seem unlikely. He has strung together two mediocre performances in the preseason, and now he appears set to ride the bench for the rest of the year.