The Pittsburgh Steelers made a seriously popular move during the 2026 preseason, bringing back linebacker Elandon Roberts. Everyone knew they needed a true thumper and run-stopper, and Roberts fit that role perfectly in the rotation. But then, in a move that blindsided everyone, they cut him during final roster cuts, adding absolutely no one else to the linebacking room. And man, did they pay for it in Thursday night’s loss to the Cleveland Browns.
The Defense Is Bleeding Yards
It was ugly out there against the Browns, seriously ugly. Mina Kimes dropped the bomb that the Steelers gave up a mind-boggling 108 yards on missed tackles against Cleveland. One hundred eight yards! That is absolutely crushing. You want to talk about individual struggles? Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson had a night they’d probably rather forget, with Wilson taking the biggest hit.
Sumer Sports laid out the cold, hard facts for Wilson: three missed tackles against the Browns, zero run stops. Zero! That pushes him to a league-leading seven missed tackles on the season. Queen isn’t far behind with four this year, and remember, he led the entire league in missed tackles last season. This isn’t a new problem for him, it’s a *trend*.
McLaughlin Ran Wild
Cleveland absolutely feasted on Pittsburgh’s inability to bring guys down. It was a massive, game-changing difference, especially on their very first score. Jaleel McLaughlin, the Browns running back, broke *multiple* tackles on his way to the end zone. That’s not just a play, that’s a statement: “Your defense can’t stop us.”
Let’s be real: cutting Roberts was a boneheaded decision. He was that thumper, that run-stopper they needed, and now they’re getting gashed. This isn’t an isolated incident either; it’s another poor roster move piling up for the Steelers. They *know* what they need.
What’s next? Simple. The article flat out says it: the Steelers need to fix this mess. They should amend their mistake and bring Elandon Roberts back, put him right in the middle of that defense. It’s clear they are paying a price, and if they want to stop giving up 100+ yards on missed tackles every week, they need to make it happen, pronto.
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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