Steelers Now
UNITY TWP., Pa. — Adaptability has long been a hallmark of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson’s football journey, and once again, he’s proving just how versatile he can be.
Robinson, a former junior college running back who transitioned to linebacker during his time at Ole Miss, has always found ways to adjust. Now entering his fourth NFL season, the 25-year-old is taking that flexibility to another level, by stepping onto the offensive side of the ball.
During a recent team period at training camp in Latrobe, Robinson wore a white jersey, typically reserved for offensive players, and took live reps at fullback. It was a surprising but intriguing sight for observers.
“I’m down for whatever,” Robinson said after practice when asked about the position switch.
His willingness to embrace the role speaks volumes about his mindset. Through his first three seasons, Robinson has contributed primarily as a reserve linebacker and on special teams, particularly on kickoff and punt coverage units. While he’s flashed as a fill-in on defense, his path to consistent snaps is complicated this year. With Cole Holcomb returning from injury and added depth in the form of veteran Malik Harrison and seventh-round rookie Carson Bruener, competition at linebacker is fierce.
So, Robinson is taking matters into his own hands, by showing the coaching staff he’s more than just a backup linebacker. He’s a football player.
Demonstrating positional flexibility is a savvy move for a player on the roster bubble. If he can prove to be a capable short-yardage blocker or special package fullback, it could give Pittsburgh added roster flexibility and increase his chances of sticking.
This kind of transition isn’t unprecedented. Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowler Patrick Ricard started his career on the defensive side of the ball before making the move to fullback, where he became one of the NFL’s most reliable players at the position. Robinson’s situation is different, but the underlying idea is similar, find a way to help the team and extend your career.
Whether his reps at fullback are a one-off experiment or a sign of regular usage remains to be seen. It could simply be a creative wrinkle for certain situations or a deeper exploration of how Robinson’s physicality and background can add value.
Either way, it’s a storyline worth watching as the preseason unfolds. And for Robinson, it’s another chapter in a career defined by toughness, flexibility, and a willingness to do whatever is asked.
Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe provided reporting from St. Vincent College.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers’ Mark Robinson Taps Into Past to Carve Out Future
