The Steelers made their first foray into free agency Sunday morning, signing former Colts inside linebacker Jon Bostic to a two-year deal. The agreement is pending a physical that will take place Monday.
Bostic, a second-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 2013, started 14 games for Indianapolis last season, making 97 tackles with one sack and three passes defensed. He missed the final two games of the season with a knee injury.
He missed the entire 2016 season with Detroit after suffering a foot injury. The Lions had acquired him from the Patriots for a seventh-round draft pick. Prior to that, Bostic spent the 2015 season in New England after being acquired from the Bears for a sixth-round draft pick.
Bostic played on a one-year, $690,000 deal last season in Indianapolis.
Bostic, 26, will be part of the Steelers' plans to attempt to replace Ryan Shazier in their lineup. The former Florida star likely will not be the only inside linebacker added by the team this offseason. Kevin Colbert said last month the team would like to add two players each at its position of needs -- inside linebacker and safety -- whether that be through free agency or the draft.
Bostic would essentially be replacing Sean Spence, signed after Shazier was injured late last season. Bostic and Spence were teammates in Indianapolis last season, with Spence getting released at the end of September.
“I probably haven’t talked enough about Jon Bostic and what he’s done, but Jon Bostic’s been solid,” Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard told reporters there early in December. “He’s been a good player for us this year, especially after battling some injuries throughout his career.”
