The Steelers must improve at inside linebacker.
That much couldn't be clearer.
Myles Jack (692), Devin Bush (659) and Robert Spillane (588) combined to play 1,939 defensive snaps this season at off-the-ball linebacker. Theses three combined to record one sack, which came in Week 1 against a flummoxed Cincinnati offense and Joe Burrow. These three combined for nine tackles for loss. These three combined for zero interceptions, zero forced fumbles and zero fumble recoveries. And this from the position on the defense designed to create the most splash plays.
Obviously, that isn’t going to cut it.
Bush and Spillane are free agents, and the Steelers could easily get out of Jack’s contract without major ramifications. If Jack returns, he is an $11.25 million hit against the salary cap. Whether to keep Jack is debatable but, as stated two weeks ago in this column, the position group in which management should most look to free agency outside the organization is inside linebacker.
Fortunately for the Steelers, that sets up extremely well. Here are the players they should target, in alphabetical, order along with their former team. And with so many capable linebackers available that fit the bill, maybe the cost isn’t exorbitant for acquiring one (or two?) of these players' services:
AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR, 49ERS
To no fault of his own, Al-Shaair, has been blocked in San Francisco, the defense that is best in the league at taking away the middle of the field. Ahead of him on the 49ers’ depth chart were Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Warner is the NFL's best second-level defender, while Greenlaw is vastly underrated and could be within the top dozen or so players at his position.
Al-Shaair only played 383 snaps in his 15 games this year, but for any other team in the league, he would have doubled or even tripled that number. Al-Shaair has gotten better every year he has been in the league and is an excellent athlete that plays with aggression. Al-Shaair would come rather cheap and looks to be set up to break out away from San Francisco.
LAVONTE DAVID, BUCCANEERS
The Steelers are not particularly young on defense, so going with an older guy like David, who will be 33 when the season opens, might not sound like good business. There is certainly a strong argument for that, but David is still playing extremely well and has elite play recognition. David is still a fantastic coverage linebacker. He will get Hall of Fame consideration when he decides to hang it up and is one of the top linebackers of this generation.
His presence next to Devin White in Tampa Bay has been instrumental in White’s development and David could possible greatly help Mark Robinson or a draft pick’s development as well, while also providing great leadership and intelligence to the Steelers defense. He also has 29 career sacks.
To show that David isn’t a declining player, here is a great look at what he has done over the past two seasons. David sees and deciphers the game better than just about any other linebacker in the league over the course of his great career:
TREMAINE EDMUNDS, BILLS
Terrell Edmunds' younger brother, Tremaine came into the league unusually young. Both brothers are set to be free agents this year and maybe the Steelers could convince Terrell to return as the starting strong safety and Tremaine to join him as their every down linebacker. Matt Milano is making big money for the Bills, so Edmunds is unlikely to return to Buffalo even though he took great strides this year, in which was clearly his best season as a pro.
Edmunds has rare length and gifts overall. He won’t come cheap, but Edmunds would be a huge upgrade and will still be only 25 when the season starts. He has already started 74 games in his career, he's coming into his own, and he took great strides as a coverage player in 2022.
Here is what Edmunds did in the Bills playoff win over Miami. He stands out even to an untrained eye. Few linebackers in the league have his tools and Edmunds is now starting to really grow into his paws:
T.J. EDWARDS, EAGLES
Next Sunday, keep an eye on No. 57 in green. While the Eagles' fantastic defensive line does a great job protecting Edwards, he still had a tremendous season of his own. He rarely left the field for one of the league’s best defenses and is very good against the run, as a blitzer and defending the pass, an area where he continues to get better.
He is very quick to diagnose and wastes very little movement attacking the ball carrier but isn’t an elite athlete. The Eagles didn’t use him a lot as a blitzer, but he was very effective when given those opportunities.
DAVID LONG, TITANS
A hamstring injury derailed Long’s season, and the dropoff with him out of the lineup was stark for Tennessee’s defense. Long isn’t the biggest guy, but he covers a lot of ground and plays with aggression, especially against the run. Long is fine in coverage but is exceptional defending the run.
This was Long’s first true season as a starter and every-down player, so there is hope that his coverage skills are on the verge of really stepping up, as he has an excellent head for the game coupled with very good movement skills in space. More than just a blitzer, Long has true pass-rush skills. He was one of the best linebackers in the NFL this past year.
BOBBY OKEREKE, COLTS
It was a forgettable season for the Colts, but Okereke’s stock skyrocketed, especially with Shaq Leonard out of the lineup. Okereke took over Leonard’s role on Indianapolis’ defense and showed he can handle and thrive in a lead role.
Okereke has rare length and covers a ton of ground. He is an improving coverage player and makes a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He is coming off back-to-back seasons with 100 or more tackles.
GERMAINE PRATT, BENGALS
A safety-turned-linebacker at the college level, Pratt had a breakout 2022 for the Bengals. He takes a bit of a backseat to Logan Wilson, but Pratt is ready to be the lead guy and Cincinnati is likely to pay Wilson instead of Pratt.
Pratt has great height and size, and stands out as a tackler. But, coverage is where Pratt really shines and his history as a safety is obvious. Pratt can play man coverage against top tight ends and has an excellent feel for zone. Not only has Pratt gotten better since entering the league, but he got better and better as this season went along. Pratt was instrumental to the Bengals' success this year.
LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, COWBOYS
Vander Esch has had durability issues and is a bit of an old-school run thumper, which isn’t ideal in today’s NFL. However, he did take a huge step forward this year as a coverage player, and it is easy to see the traits that made him a first-round pick not long ago.
Vander Esch was a free agent one year ago, but didn’t get a lot of attention on the open market and Dallas retained him on a one-year deal. He will get a much better contract this time around, but still shouldn’t break the bank. He is probably the least attractive of these eight, but someone the Steelers should still consider.
Other free agents that should be a little cheaper, but would be welcome additions to the Steelers: Nicholas Morrow (Bears), Drue Tranquill (Chargers), Kyzir White (Eagles), Quincy Williams (Jets).
