Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker Cole Holcomb agreed to a revised contract. This frees up about $4 million in cap space but it also raises a few questions regarding Holcomb’s future in Pittsburgh as well as that of Elandon Roberts.
The move by Omar Khan means that they added void years to Holcomb’s contract. Which means that $4M hits the cap next year when it voids. The bigger issue here in my mind is that Holcomb has never played a full season in his career. He’s missed 36 games over the last three seasons including all 17 last year.
I am not in any way questioning his commitment or desire, but what exactly is the reason for doing this? Holcomb, like Roberts, is not a three-down linebacker. Holcomb is more athletic but is this move being done because they don’t plan to bring Roberts back? If it is, that’s a mistake.
Roberts was really good last year as a run stopper and occasional blitzer. More importantly, he’s been available and he’s got tons of experience including Super Bowl jewelry. With Patrick Queen, Mark Robinson and a rising fast Payton Wilson, how do these guys shake out?
In 20024, Wilson was largely used to spell Roberts on passing downs and improved with every single snap. At some point, Mike Tomlin has to believe that Wilson can evolve into a three-down backer but he too has a lengthy injury history. Queen won’t come off the field, this we know.
So whatever the Steelers have planned here it begs questions. Is Robinson, a core Special Teams guy, the odd man out? Would they keep five inside linebackers should Roberts return? Does Roberts even want to return now?
This situation, as they all do, bears watching as we roll through free agency and the Draft.
