The Pittsburgh Steelers have reunited with a familiar face ahead of the 2026 season. Veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts reached an agreement with Pittsburgh on a one-year contract Wednesday, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. The immediate reaction throughout Steeler Nation was next level, as thousands of fans replied to celebrate the pickup by Omar Khan and company.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers inside linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) waits for the snap during the team's Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Roberts originally joined Pittsburgh on a two-year contract in 2023. He quickly became a respected member of the defense because of his physicality, leadership and willingness to attack opposing ball carriers.
"Reunion: veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts, who played in Pittsburgh during the 2023-2024 seasons, reached agreement today with the Steelers on a one-year deal, per source," Schefter wrote on his X account.
Roberts became a fan favorite during his first stint in Pittsburgh because he played with the physicality and intensity expected from a Steelers linebacker. The veteran linebacker recorded 101 tackles and 2.5 sacks during his first season in Pittsburgh. He added 46 tackles in 2024 before leaving the Steelers and signing a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
This move is also about more than nostalgia. Roberts remained productive in 2025, finishing with 90 tackles, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pass defended. His familiarity with new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who coached him in Las Vegas, should make this transition considerably easier. This pickup is an exciting and positive addition to the defense.
Roberts now returns to a defense with legitimate championship expectations. Pittsburgh does not need him to play every snap or carry the entire linebacker room. It needs him to provide reliable depth, stop the run and bring another respected veteran voice into the building. It is no secret that this defense has not lived up to the hype. Now, with a new man in charge, it is finally time for the unit to live up to its billing. For Graham, the value of reuniting with Roberts as a trusted depth piece cannot be overstated.
Steelers Add Valuable Experience To Defense
Pittsburgh already possesses considerable talent at inside linebacker, but Roberts gives Graham another experienced and trusted option. He can strengthen the run defense, provide leadership and help the Steelers navigate injuries throughout a long season. The financial details of the agreement were not immediately reported. Roberts may not be guaranteed a major role, but his toughness and familiarity with Pittsburgh make this a logical reunion for both sides.
As it stands heading into the 2026 season, the Steelers are set to rely on Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen as their starting inside linebackers. Behind them, Cole Holcomb is attempting to prove he is healthy and can regain the momentum he had before a serious injury halted his progress.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Patrick Queen celebrates with Payton Wilson during a win over the Miami Dolphins in 2025.
Malik Harrison could now become a potential cut candidate, especially since releasing him would create additional financial flexibility. Steelers fans will be curious to learn the exact price of Roberts' contract, but it will likely represent another solid value deal for Khan.
Over the years, plenty has been said about Khan as a general manager, both good and bad. Many have questioned what he has truly accomplished, while some around the league continue to view him as nothing more than a money guy. Khan is determined to prove otherwise, and this move supports his case.
Once the financial details become available, it will be much easier to properly evaluate the deal. For now, however, it is difficult not to like the reunion. Roberts may be 32 years old, but he is also a two-time Super Bowl champion. That pedigree is massive for a Pittsburgh roster already filled with championship experience on both sides of the football and throughout the coaching staff.
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