Steelers LBs set for one of NFL's fiercest training camp battles

The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to find stability at inside linebacker over the last decade.

After Ryan Shazier’s career-ending injury, the Steelers went through the likes of Jon Bostic, Sean Spence, Joe Schobert, Devin Bush, and many others that never panned out as long-term solutions. However, they seemed to have finally changed that.

The Steelers signed Elandon Roberts last season from the Miami Dolphins, and he was tremendous as a run stopper and the best player they’ve had at the position in recent memory. This past offseason, they also signed former Ravens first-round pick Patrick Queen and drafted Payton Wilson out of North Carolina State in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

With a now loaded linebacking corps, CBS Sports NFL analyst Cody Benjamin labeled Pittsburgh’s group as one of the training camp position battles everyone should keep an eye on.

“Queen got top dollar to leave the rival Baltimore Ravens, so he's locked into a full-time gig at the heart of Mike Tomlin's defense,” Benjamin wrote. “Still, there's room for a rotation of sidekicks, as Roberts fared decently well in 17 starts in 2023, and Wilson enters the league with highly esteemed instincts and physicality.”

The Steelers’ defense is as deep as it’s been since their 2010 run to Super Bowl XLV. With all of their talent at each level, they have a legitimate chance to be the best defense in football.