Steelers Former LB Thinks That Local Guy Nick Kwiatkoski Will Be Extra Motivated To Succeed In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been working on fleshing out the rest of the team during these last few weeks of the offseason. That includes the recent signing of veteran journeyman, Nick Kwiatkoski. Kwiatkoski, a linebacker, is entering his eighth season in the NFL. 

Kwiatkoski is a native of Bethel Park, PA, and is finally getting a chance to play for his hometown team. He attended West Virginia University and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round. He started as an inside linebacker, but has recently played primarily on special teams. After leaving Chicago, he went to the Las Vegas Raiders and then Atlanta Falcons for 2022. 

Pittsburgh Steelers Welcome Hometown ILB Nick Kwiatkoski

Former Steelers linebacker, Arthur Moats and his co-host Deke discussed Kwiatkoski and what he brings to the team, and how he will potentially fit into the lineup. Moats notes on his podcast, The Arthur Moats Show, that it is good to see the Steelers bringing in some depth at the inside linebacker position since Pittsburgh did not draft an inside linebacker this year. 

"He moves well, he's a productive player, fundamentally sound player," said Moats. "He knows how to cover. I don't classify him as a legit cover linebacker, but he knows how to cover, he knows where his help is, and he knows how to make plays on the ball. Similar to [Robert] Spillane, I don't necessarily look at him as a true cover guy. He's a good player who knows how to execute consistently, to do the things he's supposed to do."

That leaves the question of how the Steelers will utilize him. Of course, this is way too early to be making serious predictions on who will make the team and ultimately the final roster. The Steelers cleaned house in the inside linebacker room during the offseason. After letting Devin Bush, Marcus Allen, Myles Jack, and Robert Spillane go, Pittsburgh brought in Elandon Roberts, Tanner Muse, and Cole Holcomb. Moats sees him being a great motivator for the other players.       

"He pushes Elandon Roberts, he's going to push Mark Robinson, he's going to push Cole Holcomb, when you're talking about the defensive side. But when we talk special teams, because what Spillane brought, even when he was starting on defense, he was one of those consistent special teamers."  

He notes that Holcomb and Roberts do not have as much special teams experience. But Kwiatkoski does and according to Moats, he brings it at a high level. They note that with him moving on and off the defensive squad and it getting later in his career, he will seize this opportunity. 

"This is going to be a chance for him to see if he can revitalize it or get that back going for him, and if he really wants to make another move at being a starter and it's a great opportunity for him. We have, outside of Mark Robinson, a whole new cast of characters. We can't say that we have this guy surefire returning or starting. We got Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts in terms of the money. That lets us know that they're going to get the best opportunities to be out there and be the guys." 

Holcomb and Roberts, Moats points out, might be getting paid more, but they aren't getting paid so much that it excludes others from the competition. He likens it to Robinson in that you are able to see some positives on tape, but to be a starter, you have to be able to show that consistently.  

Deke brings up that Muse is the "most decorated" special teams guy they have. He asks Moats if it is better to have a guy who excels at one thing or someone who could potentially be good at both things. 

"Dudes that could do both always have a little bit more of an upgrade, but the thing you got to be careful about is yeah, you can do both, but is you doing both going to be more productive than this guy excelling at just this one thing."

Moats thinks that Kwiatkoski has one major ace up his sleeve. He said he was surprised this didn't earn him an earlier shot at playing in Pittsburgh, but he does feel that there is such a thing as a "hometown advantage."

"When I saw he is from Bethel Park, I was like you're gonna be extra motivated because you don't want to get embarrassed in front of your folks coming to training camp, you know your peoples are gonna pull up, anybody that you went to school with. First off, it's the Pittsburgh Steelers, we know that's a big deal. It's gonna be a lot that comes with that, so he's gonna make sure that he's going out there putting his best foot forward, I like that." 

How do you think Kwiatkoski will fit in on the Steelers' defense? Do you think he has a shot at making the roster? Click to comment below! 
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