5 free agents who would love to play for Steelers HC Mike Tomlin
By Tommy Jaggi
LB Leighton Vander Esch, Cowboys
Here’s the linebacker that the Steelers wanted even more than Rashaan Evans back in 2018. Sadly, fans realized this was just a pipe dream as Leighton Vander Esch’s stock rose drastically throughout the pre-draft process.
Vander Esch had some neck issues during his time in Dallas that caused his play to slide, but he did have a phenomenal rookie season with the Cowboys and was elected to a Pro Bowl. This past year, Vander Esch appeared to be healthy than he has been since his rookie season, and he could earn good money on his new team.
The Joe Schobert experiment in Pittsburgh has failed and Vander Esch could prove to be the compliment this team is looking for at linebacker. The former Boise State product and meetings with Mike Tomlin prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, and there should be mutual interest from both parties here.
Though Vander Esch might not be a great third-down linebacker at his size, he’s solid in zone coverage and could help Pittsburgh’s ailing run defense. For a team in need of an upgrade at linebacker, I expect Vander Esch to be a name linked to Pittsburgh in free agency.