Jordan Hicks could fill the void at middle linebacker for the Steelers

The Steelers will likely have an opening at middle linebacker, and Jordan Hicks could be the answer, as he just became available.

Last season the Steelers were expected to have one of the best inside linebacker tandems in the NFL last year, with Devin Bush and Joe Schobert. However, the tandem was a huge disappointment as Bush wasn’t the player he was prior to his injury, and Schobert was just an average player, not worth the salary or trade compensation that Pittsburgh gave up to acquire him.

The Steelers can save around $8 million by cutting Schobert, and this is a move that the team absolutely must commit to, as he is not worth the money he is making. Cutting Schobert would open up a void in the defense, and there is a recently released player who could fit the void nicely.

According to ESPN reporter, Adam Schefter, the Arizona Cardinals released Jordan Hicks, and unlike other free agents he is available right away,

Hicks adds speed to the linebacker position

When Pittsburgh drafted Bush, he was supposed to be the speedy playmaker in the middle of the defense that replaced Ryan Shazier. While he did show flashes of that prior to tearing his ACL, Bush wasn’t the same player last year. Although he should improve from where he was last year, it’s unlikely he’ll ever be as athletic as he once was, which leaves a void in the defense.

Jordan Hicks is the perfect option to fill that void as he has plenty of experience starting in the NFL, and has good speed for a linebacker, which is exactly what the Steelers need. The 6’1″ linebacker is 236 pounds and has made 89 starts in his seven-year NFL career for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals. According to Pro Football Reference, over his career, he’s tallied 11 interceptions, 638 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 34 pass deflections, and 9 fumble recoveries while playing both middle and outside linebacker.

While Hicks isn’t a star, he provides plenty of experience to the middle of the defense and is the speedy option the team needs alongside Devin Bush. His speed will allow him to drop into coverage often while being matched up on tight ends, and running backs and his 11 interceptions prove he has good enough ball skills to make some splash plays for the team.

Hicks is a better fit than Schobert for the Steeler

While the team may be hesitant to release him due to the fact that they traded draft capital to get him, there is no reason Schobert should be on the team next year at his current salary. The best course of action is for Pittsburgh to release him and bring in a veteran to replace him.

While players such as Rashaan Evans, and Leighton Vander-Esch are available and could fit nicely in Pittsburgh, they are both still very young players who were first-round selections, and thus will likely be a bit more expensive. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh could go out and sign a player like Hicks, or Kyzir White to replace Schobert opposite Devin Bush, and get solid production, and a reliable player out of it for a cheaper price.

While Hicks won’t be super cheap, they should be able to sign him for less than what the top options at the position are making and he can provide a much more useful player for his salary than what Schobert provided the team with last year.

Clearly, Jordan Hicks is an option that the Steelers should absolutely look into, as he is entering his age 30 season, still has plenty left in the tank, and is a much better fit with the team than Joe Schobert. Whether it is Hicks or someone else, the Steelers need to sign a new inside linebacker in free agency, or draft one, because Schobert isn’t worth the money he’s making and should be released.