Steelers’ surprising decision to release fan favorite who just returned doesn’t mean his time in Pittsburgh has come to an end
The Pittsburgh Steelers made the surprise decision to release one of their fan favorites and someone who looked great during the preseason, but it doesn’t mean the end of the road for him and the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have set their initial 53-man roster for the 2026 season, and one of the more surprising moves involved releasing linebacker Elandon Roberts. The decision caught fans, media members, and analysts off guard, given that Pittsburgh signed Roberts just weeks ago and watched him dominate throughout the preseason. The Steelers’ roster cutdown from 90 players to 53 produced plenty of tough decisions, but Roberts’ release stands out as the most puzzling on the surface.
Roberts looked like a player who had no business being on the wrong side of a roster cut. During the preseason, he was destructive against opposing offensive linemen and running backs — it looked like varsity versus JV out there. On top of that, Roberts has familiarity with Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme, having played under coordinator Patrick Graham during their time together in Las Vegas. So the immediate question becomes: why would the Steelers let him go?
Elandon Roberts 2025 stats
- 90 tackles
- 6 tackles for losses
- 1 fumble recovery
The procedural explanation behind Roberts’ release
In my opinion, this move has to be procedural. Roberts is a vested veteran, meaning he has played four or more total seasons in the NFL. That distinction matters because, unlike younger players or those without as many accrued seasons, Roberts does not have to pass through waivers. He can be re-signed at any time without the Steelers risking another team claiming him.
The truth is, there has been mixed messaging on whether Pittsburgh wants to carry eight total linebackers or nine on the active roster. That uncertainty clouds the picture, but it doesn’t change the underlying logic. A player of Roberts’ caliber, one who knows the scheme inside and out, has fresh legs, and just proved his worth throughout the preseason, is not someone you let walk away permanently without good reason.
Why Roberts could be coming back to Pittsburgh
I have a tough time believing that Elandon Roberts won’t be back with the Steelers. The NFL is a dynamic league where rosters shift constantly, especially in the days and weeks following initial cuts. Injured reserve designations, waiver claims, and unexpected roster needs create openings that did not exist on cutdown day.
Just because Roberts is gone right now doesn’t mean it will stay that way. The Steelers could decide they are comfortable with their initial 53, but Roberts could also be on his way back to Pittsburgh very soon. The bottom line is that this looks far more like a roster management maneuver than a genuine goodbye. Roberts fits what Patrick Graham wants to do defensively, and his preseason tape speaks for itself.
Pittsburgh fans should keep an eye on the transaction wire over the next few days. If the Steelers bring Roberts back, nobody should be surprised.
