Is a Joe Schobert return to the Steelers still a possibility?

Joe Schobert is still sitting in free agency as we draw closer to Steelers training camp. Could the veteran linebacker find himself back in Pittsburgh?

We are now roughly two months removed from the 2022 NFL Draft, former Steelers linebacker, Joe Schobert has yet to find a home. Last year, Pittsburgh traded for Schobert during the preseason in hopes that he would give their defense a quality starting linebacker they could depend on.

Unfortunately, that didn’t really prove to be the case. While Schobert had his moments where he looked like his former Pro Bowl self, his play was overall inconsistent as he struggled too often against both the pass and the run.

Schobert also lacked the big-play ability that fans were hoping to see — something that he was quite good at during his time with the Browns and Jaguars. Over the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the veteran linebacker combined for 7 interceptions, 13 tackles for a loss, 13 pass defenses, and 4 forced fumbles, via Pro Football Reference.

Last year, however, Schobert earned just one pick and his splash plays were few and far between. In a no-brainer move that saved the team lots of salary cap space, the Steelers cut Schobert early in the offseason.

Bringing him back was never really an option that crossed my mind. Schobert was very average during the 2021 season and came with a high price tag. However, as we are counting down the days until Steelers training camp, Schobert remains in free agency. Could he find his way back to Pittsburgh this year?

Steelers could consider signing Schobert

With the addition of Myles Jack this offseason, signing Joe Schobert back to the roster doesn’t seem likely, but it’s not impossible. In fact, it’s a move that could make sense for both parties if he has a defined role.

Schobert would no doubt like to sign with a team where he could be a starter from the gate. However, most teams have a pair of linebackers that they like and because he’s been in the market so long, it doesn’t seem like Schobert will find a starting gig at this point.

This increases Pittsburgh’s chance of bringing him back for the 2022 season. Right now, Jack and Devin Bush are the clear-cut projected starters for Pittsburgh, and that seems unlikely to change. However, both Bush and Jack struggled during the 2021 season, and the Steelers could use an insurance policy.

If Bush doesn’t take that next step and proves to be as much of a liability as he was in 2021, Schobert could be a plug-and-play starter early in the season who is already very familiar with the playbook. After a down season, it’s certainly possible that Schobert could return to his old play-making self in 2022.

Likewise, in the event of an injury, Schobert would be a much more competent and well-rounded replacement as opposed to turning to Robert Spillane — who is a major liability in coverage and does his best work on special teams.

Unfortunately, the Steelers wouldn’t be getting a special teams player out of Schobert as this just isn’t his forte. However, they could get an experienced linebacker who they could find packages for who could spell Bush or Jack of snaps every now and then.

Additionally, the linebackers drew the short straw last year as a depleted defensive line easily allowed offensive lineman to get to the second level and wash them out of plays. Schobert also has experience wearing the ‘green dot’ — something that has been removed from both Devin Bush and Myles Jack in the past.

Bringing Schobert back on a one-year deal should be very cheap at this point, and the former Pro Bowler could be chomping at the bit for an opportunity to repair his reputation.

Joe Schobert may continue to press his luck and wait until the right opportunity to sign with a squad, but I would be inserted to see what he would do if the Steelers reached out to him.