The linebacker position has been a weak spot for the Pittsburgh Steelers in recent years. Looking to change their fortunes last season, the team aggressively pursued second-level defenders in free agency.
One of the players they came away with was Cole Holcomb. Holcomb was a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. He spent the first four seasons of his career in Washington before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency in 2023.
Along with Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander, Holcomb was tasked with helping reshape the linebacker group. It was a nearly complete overhaul from 2022 when Pittsburgh had Myles Jack and Devin Bush leading the way.
Unfortunately for Holcomb, he suffered an ACL injury in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. That ended his 2023 season and potentially his tenure in the Steel City. In the opinion of David Kenyon of Bleacher Report, Holcomb would be on the chopping block for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.
“The most unfortunate part of Cole Holcomb’s season-ending knee injury is that it might lead to his release. This offseason, the Steelers signed high-priced Patrick Queen and added Payton Wilson in the draft. Pittsburgh may simply move in a new direction away from Holcomb, who posted 54 tackles in eight appearances last season,” wrote Holcomb.
That is a lot of premium assets spent on the linebacker position this offseason. Patrick Queen, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, is locked into a prominent role in the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Payton Wilson landing with the black and gold was one of many analysts’ favorite picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Veteran Blake Martinez remains on the team’s roster, as does Roberts. The Steelers could opt to continue developing 2023 fourth-round pick Nick Herbig as well, which would further limit the opportunities Holcomb would have.
It was disappointing to see Holcomb get hurt last season, and that knee injury could ultimately cost him his spot on the roster. He will need a strong summer to convince the Pittsburgh Steelers to hold onto him at what is a deep positional group.
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