The Pittsburgh Steelers have made some splashes already as we head into the free agency period, just like they did in 2024. Last offseason, they made their biggest free agency signing in team history when they added linebacker Patrick Queen. Now, with the trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf, they officially have the biggest contract in team history at five years for $150 million. Metcalf, a 2019 second-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks, became one of the league's highest-paid receivers when the Steelers gave him a four-year, $132 million extension to add to the one-year, $18 million he had left on his contract.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Patrick Queen puts on eye black ahead of a matchup with the Washington Commanders.
The Steelers have a lot of needs and a lot of money to spend, so fans were expecting more exciting, big-name additions, perhaps at defensive line or even quarterback. Instead, what they got was a bit of a head-scratcher. While the contract for Malik Harrison wasn't huge (two years, $10 million), fans didn't anticipate Pittsburgh would sign a linebacker on the first day of legal tampering.
Harrison spent his first five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens after being a third-round selection in 2020. He is a versatile linebacker who has played on both defense and special teams. He is credited with being a good run-stopper, something the Steelers were sorely lacking in 2024 as backs like Derrick Henry ran all over the defense.
Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show told his co-host, Chris Mack on their podcast Kaboly and Mack, that he likes the move. Mack said he felt like the inside linebacker room was pretty set with Queen, Payton Wilson and Elandon Roberts. He wondered if the Steelers would try to keep Roberts, who was a free agent. However, Roberts signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Mack added he could also see Harrison coming in to replace someone on special teams like Tyler Matakevich. Kaboly said that, in many ways, he favors Harrison over Roberts.
"He's [Roberts] a one down backer, I call him, a short yardage guy," said Kaboly about Roberts compared to Harrison. "He's [Harrison] a guy who can play similar to Roberts and be in that power downhill inside linebacker for first and second down, but he can play special teams as well. Plus, he's younger. Why not?"
Kaboly said it is hard because everyone loves Roberts, who feels like a real "Pittsburgh guy." However, Harrison's special teams experience could be the x-factor.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' Payton Wilson and Elandon Roberts make a tackle on Ravens running back Derrick Henry in 2024.
The Steelers have already lost numerous players as the start of free agency looms, and there are more to come, according to Kaboly. He noted that the Steelers' special teams unit will likely lose multipole players as Matakevich is also a free agent. That means that having someone versatile like Harrison could make a big difference.
Steelers Are Getting Another Linebacker Back
Kaboly noted they also have Cole Holcomb returning to the lineup, but there is no guarantee what they will get from him. Holcomb was injured during the 2023 season when teammate Keanu Neal rolled into his knee, shattering it. He spent the rest of 2023 and almost all of 2024 on the injured reserve. He finally returned to practice at about the start of the New Year.
Holcomb had one year left on his contract, but it wasn't clear if he could play and how the Steelers would work that out. However, they recently announced that they had restricted his contract. The statement mentioned that Holcomb is back and ready to contribute. They noted he is a valuable leader on the defense.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb makes a tackle on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during a Week 5 contest at Acrisure Stadium in 2023.
Do you think the Harrison signing makes sense over keeping Roberts? Tell us what you think below!
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