The Pittsburgh Steelers just dropped a bombshell on Sunday, pulling off a move that has everyone scratching their heads: they released veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts. This wasn’t some quiet, expected roster shuffle either. Roberts himself, the guy who’d just been brought back into the fold weeks ago after a stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, flat out said he was “definitely shocked” by the decision. Can you imagine showing up, putting in the work, and then getting blindsided like that with “no clue” why?
A Head-Scratching Cut After Solid Play
What makes this whole situation even crazier is that Roberts wasn’t slacking. He actually put together two quality performances in the preseason, looking sharp against both the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills. Seriously, he was out there, making plays, and seemed completely geared up to make a real impact for the Steelers come Week 1. You’d think that kind of effort, especially from a guy you just brought back, would solidify his spot. But nope. The reason? Roberts apparently became a casualty of the Steelers’ absolutely wild decision to keep a whopping four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster. Four QBs! In today’s NFL, that’s a luxury few teams can afford, especially if it means gutting another position.
“Nope. Nothing.” The Shocking Reality of the Release
For a hot minute, the rumor mill was probably buzzing, with everyone assuming this was just a temporary thing. You know, that classic move where a team releases a guy with an “arrangement” to push him through to the practice squad or bring him back in a few days once other moves are made. But forget that idea, because Roberts himself, and trusted reporter Dejan Kovacevic of DK Pittsburgh Sports, shot that down harder than a bad pass. Kovacevic confirmed there’d been “no arrangement between the Steelers and the player to push him through the practice squad or anything like that.” And when Roberts was asked directly if there was any plan to bring him back? His answer was blunt, clear, and honestly, a bit heartbreaking for a player in his shoes: “Nope. Nothing.” That’s it. He’s gone, no strings attached, no secret handshake deal.
Thinning the Herd Where It Counts
So, where does this leave the Steelers? Well, their linebacking corps, which was already a position many fans probably kept an eye on, is now officially thinner. Losing a guy who just put in two “quality performances” in preseason means they’re going to have to lean a lot more heavily on other players. We’re talking about Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener, who will now see increased roles as rotational pieces. Roberts wished the team “nothing but the best this season,” which is classy, but you have to wonder about the thought process here. Cutting a player who was ready to contribute, all to hold onto an extra quarterback? It feels like a high-stakes gamble this early in the season, and it definitely leaves a question mark over that Steelers defense moving forward.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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