For the Pittsburgh Steelers, defense isn’t just a strategy — it’s an identity. For decades, the Steelers have prided themselves on physicality, grit, and shutting down opponents before they could smell the end zone. But last season, something cracked.
When Derrick Henry ran rampant over Teryl Austin’s defense in the AFC Divisional round, the wound was torn wide open. That brutal loss didn’t just end Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes — it scarred a defense and a fanbase built on toughness.
What made it worse was who wasn’t on the field. Linebacker Cole Holcomb, a gritty, versatile veteran and key run-stopper, spent that game sidelined with a knee injury. This brutal injury occurred halfway through the 2023 season, and Holcomb was unable to suit up for a game in 2024, despite optimism that he would return in the playoffs.
You could only imagine how hard it must have been to watch from the sidelines, knowing your presence might have made a difference.
Holcomb, who came to Pittsburgh with a chip on his shoulder as a former fifth-round pick, earned a reputation for quickly finding the ball carrier. Losing him was more than a personnel issue — it was a psychological one.
Now, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
The Pittsburghs Stelers need Cole Holcomb to have a sensational regular season
Holcomb’s return to the field during OTAs is more than just a hopeful sign — it’s a jolt of energy for a team determined to reclaim its defensive edge. Watching him take the field with a new physique, earning reps, commanding respect in the huddle — it’s hard not to feel optimistic.
Steelers fans, still haunted by last year’s collapse, can finally exhale a bit. Because Holcomb doesn’t just fill a hole — he elevates the entire linebacker corps.
Paired with new addition Patrick Queen and emerging talent Payton Wilson, Holcomb helps transform this unit into one of the most versatile and potentially dangerous groups in the league.
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Queen brings sideline-to-sideline speed, Willis adds youthful explosiveness, and Holcomb — well, he brings that hard-nosed, downhill mentality Steelers fans love.
Last year, the Steelers couldn’t stop the bleeding when it mattered most. They looked uncharacteristically vulnerable in the trenches, especially against the run. But with Holcomb back in the fold, that vulnerability might become a strength once again.
Pittsburgh’s run defense took a hit without Holcomb. His return doesn’t just give the team another linebacker — it gives them a leader, a tone-setter, and maybe, just maybe, the key to finishing what they started.