Steelers off-ball linebackers don’t make an impact
Since 2019, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made some heavy investments in the linebacker position. To acquire Devin Bush alone cost Pittsburgh a first, second, and future third-round pick. Though Bush has shown some improvement in year three, this was clearly a mistake.
Bush isn’t the only player having a mediocre season. Newcomer Myles Jack hasn’t been all that fans hoped he would be. Though Jack is probably the most consistent of the group, he hasn’t made many splash plays and has more or less been a non-factor in most games.
Additionally, the Steelers somehow have it in their head that Robert Spillane is a great linebacker in coverage, when in fact, he has really struggled in this department. All three of Pittsburgh’s top off-ball linebackers have graded out in the bottom half of the league, and there’s nothing to suggest these performances will get better anytime soon.
With a lack of splash plays and very little coverage ability from this group, I would expect the Steelers to be eying linebacker help during the 2023 offseason. This group just hasn’t been meeting the standard in Pittsburgh.