The Steelers’ Most Puzzling Cut: Why Releasing Elandon Roberts Makes Little Sense

The release of veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts’ is one of those roster decisions that immediately makes you pause, especially considering how strong he looked during the brief period at training camp and the preseason.

The Steelers brought him back for a reason, and he delivered exactly what he’s always brought to the table: downhill force, veteran steadiness, and a physical presence the defense frankly doesn’t have enough of. Cutting him now feels out of step with the unit’s actual needs.

That need becomes even clearer when you look at last season’s inside linebacker play. Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen struggled to consistently stop the run at the second level, often getting washed out or arriving late to fill interior gaps. Roberts, meanwhile, had been one of the team’s most reliable run defenders during his earlier stint in Pittsburgh. He brought the exact skill set the room lacked—experience, toughness, and the ability to diagnose and attack plays before they became problems.

The only plausible rationale is that Roberts fell behind Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener on the depth chart. Even so, neither offers the proven run‑defending ability Roberts brings. If this decision truly stems from depth‑chart alignment, it remains difficult to justify given the specific skill set Pittsburgh just subtracted from its defense.

Photo Credit: Jordan Perez - Pittsburgh Steelers

In essense, Roberts didn’t just survive the preseason; he thrived, showing the same traits that made him a stabilizing force in the past. Letting go of a veteran who fills a clear need and already understands the system raises more questions than answers. Whether this signals confidence in younger players, a shift in defensive philosophy, or simply a puzzling roster gamble, it’s hard to shake the sense that the Steelers just moved on from someone who should still be in the building.