3 linebackers Steelers should aggressively pursue in free agency
By Tommy Jaggi
Kyzir White
Age: 25.8
Projected Contract: 2-years, $4.75M/year
Kyzir White isn’t exactly a household name, but the 25-year-old linebacker had a breakout campaign in 2021. White started all 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers this year and graded out as the 21st-best linebacker in the NFL this year, according to Pro Football Focus.
At 6’2” and 218 pounds, the former college safety from West Virginia has proven to make a successful transition to linebacker in the NFL. While he doesn’t have a lot of mass to his frame to take on blocks, he’s slippery as a pass rusher from the middle and has excellent movement skills in coverage.
In a sense, White is turning out to be the player the Steelers were hoping to get from Devin Bush, and there are no shortage of big plays from the Chargers linebacker. In 2021, White recorded 144 total tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 4 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions, according to Pro Football Reference.
White and Bush would play much of the same role for Pittsburgh, but if Bush shows improvement in his final season under contract, the Steelers could play these two linebackers at the same time — particularly on passing downs. Joe Schobert should be an offseason cut regardless, due to his unreasonably high cap hit next year.