Steelers positional grades are mostly disappointing for the 2021 season

Steelers linebackers: F

While both the offensive line and the linebackers deserved ‘F’ grades this year based on their performances, Pittsburgh linebackers were the most disappointing positional group on the team — especially considering the investments made.

In 2019, the Steelers spend a first and second-round pick to move up to the 10th overall pick in the NFL Draft to select Devin Bush. Sadly, Bush was almost unplayable for most of the year. While we don’t know how much his 2020 ACL injury attributed to his awful play, we do know that the results couldn’t have been much worse.

Likewise, the Steelers spent draft capital to acquire Joe Schobert via trade. This clearly seems like a mistake now. In addition to trading for a linebacker who seemed to offer the team almost nothing this year, Pittsburgh took on the remainder of his 5-year, $53.7 million contract, according to Over the Cap. This is a deal they will almost certainly get out of in the 2022 offseason.

Additionally, Robert Spillane was terrible in pass coverage when called upon, while backups Ulysees Gilbert, Marcus Allen, and rookie Buddy Johnson barely played and couldn’t be counted on. This was arguable the worst linebacking corps in the entire NFL this year.