The Steelers’ front office is clearly feeling the heat after their loss to the Browns. They wasted no time bringing in nine players for a tryout on Friday, a group that included a couple of intriguing former third-round linebackers in Chad Muma and Marte Mapu. It’s a move that shouts, “We’re not satisfied, and we’re looking for answers.”
Scouting the Linebacker Talent
Let’s dive into Muma and Mapu first, because those third-round tags are no joke, even if it was a few years ago. Chad Muma kicked off his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, then bounced around to the Colts and Patriots in 2025. He’s been doing a lot of special teams work recently, but don’t forget he’s got seven career starts on defense, with his last one in 2024. The dude also has 103 career tackles, and coming out of college, he put up a ridiculous 9.79 RAS score. That’s elite athleticism right there, something you can’t teach.
Then there’s Marte Mapu, a New England Patriot draft pick from 2023. Mapu racked up nine defensive starts in 2024, logging 46 total tackles, six passes defensed, and even an interception. That’s solid production. But like Muma, 2025 saw him largely on special teams. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had some pre-draft knocks on Mapu’s “short-area athleticism and long speed” as a college box safety, but you can’t deny the on-field production he’s shown.
Digging for Depth
It wasn’t just Muma and Mapu on the guest list. The Steelers cast a wide net, looking at other positions too. They worked out edge rusher Cameron Sample, who could potentially add some juice to their pass rush. On the offensive line, they brought in tackles Tomas Rimac and Andrew Coker, alongside centers Gus Hartwig and James Brockermeyer. Running back Terrell Jennings and defensive back Miles Battle rounded out the group. That’s a whole lot of different positions they’re poking around, showing they’re not just looking for one specific fix.
Interestingly, the Steelers didn’t sign any of these players immediately after the tryouts. But here’s the kicker: they *do* have spots open on the practice squad. This came about because Travis Homer and Doneiko Slaughter both got bumped up to the 53-man roster. So, the tryouts might not have resulted in instant deals, but with those practice squad vacancies, you know they’re keeping their options open and looking to bolster their depth.
This isn’t just a casual look; it’s a statement that the Steelers are hunting for solutions right now. They lost to the Browns, and they’re clearly not satisfied with sitting still. Expect them to be active, because finding those diamonds in the rough could make all the difference as this early season unfolds.
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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