The Pittsburgh Steelers spent years trying to figure out the inside linebacker position after the gruesome injury that Ryan Shazier suffered back during the 2017 season. The organization got aggressive and traded up to select Devin Bush with the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but he wound up struggling after tearing his ACL. The struggles at the position continued for Pittsburgh, until the 2024 season came around. The Steelers were able to sign Patrick Queen in free agency, and drafting Payton Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft also paid dividends.
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Steelers' Payton Wilson runs for a touchdown after the defense caused a turnover against the Bengals in Week 13.
Wilson and Queen both played well during the 2024 season, as did veteran Elandon Roberts. Roberts left Pittsburgh in free agency during the 2025 offseason, and the Steelers replaced him with Malik Harrison from the Baltimore Ravens. Cole Holcomb is also back in the fold after recovering from his brutal knee injury that happened during the 2023 season. He was the leading tackler for Pittsburgh's defense during that season up until his injury, so he could make an immediate impact in 2025.
In addition to Queen, Wilson, Holcomb, and Harrison, Pittsburgh also drafted Carson Bruener in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and Mark Robinson is still on the roster as well. It is a crowded room, and Wilson spoke to the media about it after practice on Thursday. He made his desired role pretty clear.
"Yeah I mean, like I said since last year, whatever they need me to do, you know I'm going to do it," Wilson said. "Obviously, I want to be out there every single snap trying to prove myself. Out here in OTAs and camp, I do that, but whatever is handed to me, it's been great being out there every snap. But I'll do whatever I can to help this team win."
In 2024, Wilson played mainly on passing downs, while Roberts was more of a run-stuffer. Queen was on the field for every snap, and he likely will be again in 2025. Wilson doesn't sound like he wants to split snaps with anybody, and he wants to be on the field no matter what the situation is. He is open to any role, which is a good thing for the team, but he wants to be out there for every play.
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Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb participates in drills at 2023 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA..
Holcomb is who makes the linebacker room so interesting. He has not played since being injured back in 2023, and it has been somewhat of a surprise that Pittsburgh has hung onto him throughout his recovery and heading into the 2025 season. He was an above-average linebacker for Pittsburgh prior to the injury, and he should be able to play himself back into that form. It will be interesting to watch the amount of time he is on the field versus how often Wilson is on the field.
Holcomb is a veteran that is entering the final season of his contract, and Wilson is a second-year player who seems to have a ton of potential. It should be a priority for Pittsburgh to expose Wilson to as much game as possible so he is able to improve, with Holcomb filling in when needed.
Steelers Other Linebackers Are Likely Non-Factors In The Rotation
Players like Bruener and Robinson will likely only be used on special teams, assuming they both make the initial 53-man roster. Robinson has been on the roster for three seasons now, and it has become crystal clear that his ceiling in Pittsburgh is as a teamer. Bruener could carve out a role for himself somewhere down the line, but that likely won't happen until later on.
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Steelers ILB Mark Robinson in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Harrison is the only one out of those three that could see some playing time consistently on defense. He is a decent run-stuffer, so he might see the field in short-yardage situations or on the goal line.
What do you want to see from Wilson in his second season? Let us know in the comments below!
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