Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is confident that linebacker Cole Holcomb will be ready for training camp.
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding another talented player back into their already star-studded defense. Head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that linebacker Cole Holcomb should be good to go this summer.
“Yes, he is,” Tomlin said. “Training camp.”
Holcomb, 28, joined the Steelers on a three-year, $18 million deal in 2023, but he suffered a major knee injury midway through the 2023 season that caused him to miss all of 2024.
Before suffering his injury, Holcomb was playing very well, recording 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two passes defended in eight games.
He now joins Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Mark Robinson as returning inside linebackers for the Steelers in 2025.
While it is good news, Holcomb’s return has been somewhat expected after he agreed to a revised contract for the 2025 season. The change reduced his salary cap hit by $4 million.
The revision makes sense for both sides. Holcomb enters a prove-it year with just one year left on his contract and Pittsburgh gets another talented player to add to the mix.
Originally a fifth-round pick of the Washington Redskins in 2019, Holcomb started four years in D.C. before a foot injury ended his 2022 season after just seven games. His best season statistically came in 2021, when he racked up 142 tackles to lead the Washington Football Team — by 43 tackles more than second-place safety Kamren Curl.
A native of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Holcomb played collegiately at North Carolina.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Palm Beach, Fla.
