The Pittsburgh Steelers could have some trouble at the inside linebacker position, especially after the surprising release of Elandon Roberts this past weekend. Pittsburgh has struggled in the run defense area within this position group, and one of the presumed starters has some issues that could really come to light this upcoming season as the team is pretty thin in this department without Roberts.
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 in 2023.
The team is entering the regular season with Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen listed as the starting inside linebackers. Queen, who was drafted by the rival Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and earned All-Pro honors during his time there, joined the Steelers in March 2024 and has been a solid piece of the squad's defense. While struggling in his own ways, he has anchored the defense and performed well enough to maintain his starting role for the third straight season.
Wilson, who the Steelers selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft from NC State University, has flashed during his first two seasons in the NFL. Wilson played in all 17 regular-season games during the 2025 NFL season and recorded 109 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception. He was not the full-time starter but has shown enough to warrant the position this upcoming season. Wilson's game is modeled around his blazing speed and athleticism, which is very impressive for his size and position.
Wilson has been solid in pass coverage, consistently being able to stay in stride with opposing running backs and tight ends. He has had some glaring weaknesses in the run game, though. He regularly shoots gaps too early, and this results in a lot of missed tackles and open grass for opposing offenses to take full advantage of. This was made clear by former Steelers linebacker James Harrison on a recent episode of the Deebo & Joe podcast.
"Payton Wilson has issues," Harrison stated. "The point of attack, running the ball at him, because of his difficulty in shedding blocks. It's almost like he can't recognize the run and read it fast enough to get there."
The flaws in question do not stem from Wilson's speed, as previously mentioned. It seems more that he has a problem with diagnosing runs and being able to have his mind and body on the same page because he is more than fast enough to make plays whenever he puts himself in position to do so.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Patrick Queen celebrates with Payton Wilson during a win over the Miami Dolphins at home during the 2025 season.
The Steelers are going to need to help Wilson shore up these issues as the team's run defense, specifically at the second level of the unit, has been an issue in the worst possible moments. In the team's two most recent playoff losses, they were gashed for a whopping 299 rushing yards against the Ravens in their 2024 Wild Card matchup, and again for 164 rushing yards in their 2025 Wild Card game against the Houston Texans.
Another problem for the Black and Gold is the lack of depth at the inside linebacker position. Behind Queen and Wilson, the team rosters Cole Holcomb, who has been solid in the run defense department, but has missed a lot of games due to injury and is not getting any younger. After Holcomb is second-year linebacker Carson Bruener who the team cannot count on to provide effective play after only recording 19 total tackles during his rookie season. The Steelers are likely going to need to make another move before the regular season starts to shore up this position group if they do not want to suffer the same fate that the team has for many seasons now.
Steelers' Release Of Elandon Roberts Was A Shock
Roberts was released ahead of the initial 53-man roster deadline, and this move came as a shock to all, including him.
"I wish the team nothing but the best this season, but I was definitely shocked," Roberts said.
Roberts was a fan favorite and has now had multiple stints with Pittsburgh. He also played under the Steelers' new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham during their time with the Las Vegas Raiders. Roberts looked really good in the Steelers' preseason games and was expected to make the initial roster, or at least come back on the practice squad. Neither of which seems likely at this moment, however.
This move, along with Pittsburgh's lack of urgency at the inside linebacker position, is concerning as the regular season approaches. The team's decisions will truly be tested early, as the Steelers take on the Atlanta Falcons and All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson Week 1 of the 2026 NFL regular season in two weeks.
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