3 linebackers Steelers should aggressively pursue in free agency
By Tommy Jaggi
Josey Jewell
Age: 27.0
Projected Contract: 1-year, $6M
Josey Jewell is never going to wow anyone with his speed or athletic traits, but he has been one of the more dependable linebackers in the NFL when healthy. Jewell has made strides in each season since entering the league as a fourth-round pick in 2018. In 2020, he graded out as the 13th-best linebacker among 83 qualifying players, according to PFF.
Sadly, Jewell was injured just 2 games into the 2021 season but he was off to a terrific start. The Broncos linebacker has the ability to be an every-down player for the Steelers. Though athletic limitations could get in the way, Jewell excels in coverage — particularly in zone.
After just turning 27 years old, Jewell still has plenty left in the tank and his best years should still be ahead of him. Jewell would come at a very affordable cost, and while he isn’t going to be a star player for Pittsburgh, he could give the Steelers at least one quality option at the linebacker position in 2022.
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Eventually, the Steelers are probably going to need at least two good off-ball linebackers to help get their defense back on track, and the team is holding out hope that Devin Bush could still be one of them. Still, with as poor as the LB play was last season and the fact that Schobert will almost certainly be released, Pittsburgh needs to aggressively pursue one of these three players in free agency.