Steel City Blitz
While the Pittsburgh Steelers are now enjoying their summer prior to Training Camp, we’re going to spend some time previewing the positions. From the locks to the guys who are just ‘camp bodies’ we’ll take a look at all of the guys competing at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.
On the Roster: Malik Harrison, Carson Bruener, Cole Holcomb, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson
What We Know: For as much change as there has been since Mike Tomlin left, these five guys are a constant. Each of the five brings a different skillset to the job. Some are better in coverage while others are traditional run stuffers.
What We Don’t Know: Numbers. Much like things seem very set at outside linebacker, off ball linebacker appears to be pretty well set as well. Between the two positions, there are a total of 10 guys. Mike McCarthy and Patrick Graham will need to decide how many they want to carry.
Let’s go back to the winter and early spring when many believed that Patrick Queen would be traded. That certainly doesn’t seem to be the case any longer. Whether he is still the ‘green dot’ guy I’m not sure because Wilson feels like he’s facing the a critical season as far as his development and overall usage. Can he take the next step towards being the linebacker the Steelers need?
Malik Harrison is what he is. He’s a classic thumper who comes downhill and lays a lick on ball carriers. Coverage is not in his wheelhouse nor is Special Teams. He’s a veteran who is well respected however. Holcomb is actually a pretty amazing story. The fact that he was able to come back and play last season after such an awful leg injury was a testament to his work ethic and desire to keep playing football. I’m curious as to whether another offseason will get him back to where he was before the injury or not.
Holcomb’s time at linebacker was pretty limited in 2025 but he did get a lot of time on Special Teams. My guess is that he’s a guy that the coaches and players think highly of but I just don’t know if that’s enough for him to maintain a roster spot. Bruener is an undersized linebacker who may have a future similar to Tyler Matakevich in that Special Teams may be his way of staying on the roster. He’s capable of covering guys should he need to fill in at linebacker and he hustles his ass off to chase down ball carriers. His light stature however probably keeps him a core Special Teamer.
How It Shakes Out: Barring injuries, all five guys will likely make the roster. I’m guessing they’ll add another guy prior to or during Camp but this group seems destined to join the four EDGE guys giving the defense nine linebackers. I hate to beat a dead horse but there is so much unknown because of the changeover in staff. Will these guys...
