Steelers reunite with a welcome face that could spell the end of a tenured veteran’s time in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers play a game in less than 24 hours, and they have added a last-minute depth piece who could spell trouble for a tenured veteran, and bolster a group that has long been a thorn in the Steelers’ side.
A reunion is in store in Pittsburgh. Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Elandon Roberts will once again be joining the team on a 1-year deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The signing carries significance beyond simply adding depth to the Steelers’ inside linebacker room. It represents a reunion with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, whom Roberts played under with the Las Vegas Raiders.
What the signing tells us about the Steelers’ linebacker plans
Some fans will immediately jump to conclusions. Does this mean Patrick Queen is injured? Does this mean Payton Wilson isn’t developing? The truth is, neither of those should be the takeaway here.
What this tells me is that 2025 free-agent addition Malik Harrison’s time with the Pittsburgh Steelers is probably going to come to an end. On top of that, the combination of Roberts and Cole Holcomb is going to be back in the middle of that Pittsburgh defense.
That doesn’t mean they’re going to be starting again for the Steelers. But if you can take some former starters from your inside linebacker duo and slot them into backup roles, you suddenly have a quartet of Queen, Wilson, Roberts, and Holcomb. Mix in a Carson Breuner, and that’s a pretty strong inside linebacker corps for Pittsburgh.
Elandon Roberts 2025 stats
Played 17 games, made 16 starts with the Las Vegas Raiders.
- 90 total tackles.
- 6 TFL’s.
- 1 PBU.
Roberts brings an old-school element Pittsburgh needs
I think this is a great move for the Steelers. Roberts gives them that old-school, downhill emphasis attacking the run. Pittsburgh doesn’t really need another coverage player at the position because they already have that in Wilson and, to a degree, from Queen.
The way I see it, this is a good reunion and a good upgrade if the Steelers do let go of Harrison. It really rounds out that linebacking corps in Pittsburgh, giving the defense legitimate options at a position that lacked reliable depth heading into the season.
Graham’s familiarity with Roberts from their time together in Las Vegas shouldn’t be overlooked, either. That existing relationship means Roberts can step in and contribute within the scheme without a lengthy adjustment period. For a player joining a team in the middle of training camp, that kind of head start matters.
The Steelers just got better at inside linebacker without disrupting their starting lineup. Roberts fills a specific role as a run-stuffing presence off the bench, and his experience with Graham’s system makes the transition smoother. It’s a smart, low-risk addition that addresses a clear need.
