It's roster cutdown time across the NFL, and by 6 p.m. Sunday, every team will have its initial 53-man roster in place. There will still be changes in the week following, but for the most part, fans will know who will be suiting up for their team this season. The Pittsburgh Steelers are no different, and they have already made some big moves.
The Broderick Jones trade to the Cowboys was certainly a big deal, but it was somehow less surprising than the move they made early on Sunday. Veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts was released after signing with the Steelers during training camp, according to Adam Schefter.
It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Roberts was brought in for a reason, and not just to compete for a roster spot. Instead, he may now have to find an opportunity with a new team or circle back on the practice squad. It also begs an important question: what does it mean for this linebacker room?
Pittsburgh Steelers shock everyone with decision to part ways with Elandon Roberts
If you were to go look at just about any 53-man roster prediction for the Steelers (including ours here at Still Curtain) before the news broke, you would see ElandonRoberts's name as a near-lock to make the roster. With him out of the picture (for now, at least), it's fair to wonder if a corresponding move could be on the horizon.
Malik Harrison hasn't done enough this summer to be the de facto fifth linebacker, so the Steelers could go in one of two directions: scour the trade/waiver wire market, or simply go with four inside linebackers on the active roster.
If the Steelers are serious about keeping all four of their quarterbacks on the team, linebacker is one of the first positions to think about cutting down more than usual, and that was before Roberts was let go. It would leave them a bit vulnerable to injury, but Patrick Queen hasn't missed a game in his entire career so far, and Payton Wilson hasn't either.
Would I feel comfortable going into the season with Cole Holcomb as the only backup with any real experience? Not one bit, but the position is already the weakest on the defense, if not the weakest position on the team. Perhaps they could find a suitable addition via trade or on the waiver wire, but I wouldn't be surprised if they begin the week with just four before adding a player before Week 1.
Add us as a preferred source on Google