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7 Pittsburgh Steelers players that won’t be back in 2022

By Ryan Pawloski

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 celebrates his two point conversion attempt with James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 celebrates his two point conversion attempt with James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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Robert Spillane #41 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Steelers Robert Spillane, Linebacker

Robert Spillane had high expectations leading up to the 2021 season. He was expected to start alongside Devin Bush at the inside linebacker spot but that did not pan out. He had a bad pre-season and the team traded for Joe Schobert from Jacksonville.

Spillane had a nice season last year as he filled in for injured players. Many thought that he would carry that success over from 2020 but he could not accomplish that. Now Spillane sits on the team in limbo as he plays in certain packages and on special teams.

This player will have to be content with being a depth player and special team’s demon to stick around the Steelers organization. He is good enough to at least do those tasks but if the team would need him to start, they will be in trouble.

He is a good run-stuffer but to say he is unreliable in the passing game is an understatement. There are other linebackers on the team that provide more than Spillane currently does. He could always be pushed off this roster by future additions via draft or free agency when it comes up.

Spillane is kind of a coach’s favorite at this point as he continues to play on the starting defense, specifically on passing downs. That is a major issue and something management needs to take away so the coaches cannot make this mistake anymore. This player had a decent 2020 year but that looks to be an anomaly in his career.

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