Could The Steelers Target A Former AFC North Rival To Help Solidify The Depth At Outside Linebacker In 2023?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are incredibly fortunate to have one of the best pass-rush duos in the entire NFL with TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith. However, beyond them, there are major questions to answer in terms of who will play outside linebacker for the team's defense in 2023. As of now, the most likely candidates are Nick Herbig and Quincy Roche. 

Herbig is entering his rookie campaign with the expectation of sticking at outside linebacker. However, there is a chance that the former Wisconsin standout could move to more of an off-ball role at some point. Roche, on the other hand, is returning to the Steelers' organization after a two-year stint with the New York Giants. He boasts impressive size at 6'3", 245 pounds, and has 17 career regular season games under his belt with the Giants. Unlike Herbig, his spot on the initial 53-man roster is not a guarantee. 

While Herbig and Roche have an immense amount of potential, there has been a clear indication this offseason from Steelers' General Manager, Omar Khan, that the team is ready to compete for an AFC North title in 2023. If this is the case, the front office may be wise to consider bringing in additional help at pass rusher. 

Interestingly enough, there is a veteran free agent available who not only has experience in playing in the AFC North, but has also received interest from the Steelers in years past, former Baltimore Ravens' outside linebacker, Justin Houston. 

Would Houston Be Willing To Accept A Backup Role With The Steelers?

At age 34, Houston is far from a long-term answer at outside linebacker, but is still more than capable of providing the Steelers with 15-20 snaps a game, at the very least. He is coming off a stellar season in Baltimore, compiling nine-and-a-half sacks to go along with seven tackles for loss.

 He has reportedly had interest shown in him by a number of different teams. Could the Steelers potentially be one of them? Certainly possible, as the team nearly landed his services during the 2021 offseason.  

If the Steelers do indeed still have interest in Houston, they may have to wait until later in the offseason before adding him to the roster. He did not sign his first one-year deal with the Ravens until late July 2021 and did not sign his second contract with the team until July as well. In all likelihood, Houston is in no rush to sign with a team at this point. With his extensive amount of NFL experience, there is no need for him to take part in offseason workouts. 

Make no mistake, even if the Steelers do end up with Houston, Highsmith is your starter at outside linebacker opposite of Watt. Would Houston be content with this? Difficult to answer, but certainly possible. The Steelers may be hesitant in bringing in a free agent outside linebacker who still has aspirations of being a starter, as they want to avoid the situation they ran in to with Melvin Ingram in 2021. 

If Houston is willing to come in and serve as a rotational pass rusher for the Steelers, he would perhaps be the last missing piece to the team's defense in 2023. While he is limited in what he can do in terms of being a well-rounded outside linebacker, there is no denying he still has plenty of gas left in the tank to get after the quarterback. The trio of Watt, Highsmith, and Houston would give the Steelers one of the most formidable group of edge rushers in the entire league. 

Thoughts, Steeler Nation?

How would you feel about the Steelers bringing in Houston as the OLB3? Would you feel comfortable with Herbig and Roche being the primary backups? Be sure to let us know in the comments. 

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