The Pittsburgh Steelers just made a seriously popular move, bringing back veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts on a one-year deal, per Adam Schefter. Fans are absolutely buzzing about his return, but let’s be real, this signing immediately pushed another veteran, Malik Harrison, straight onto the chopping block. The writing is on the wall here, and it looks like Pittsburgh is about to free up some serious cap space.
Roberts’ Return Is All About Hard Hits and Familiar Faces
Bringing Roberts back was a no-brainer for the Steelers, and fans absolutely loved it. The guy spent two seasons with them back in 2023-24, earning a ton of admiration for his hard-hitting play-style. We’re talking about a two-time Super Bowl champion, someone who knows how to make plays when it counts! Plus, there’s a serious comfort level here; Roberts played under current Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham just last season when he was with the Raiders in Las Vegas. That means he already knows the scheme inside and out, which is huge for hitting the ground running.
That linebacker room was already looking solid, but bringing Roberts back just deepens it, giving them even more firepower. He’s probably gonna slot right in there as the No. 3 or No. 4 linebacker, alongside studs like Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and Cole Holcomb. And let’s not forget second-year beast Carson Bruener, who’s still holding it down as one of the team’s top special teamers. This move just makes a strong unit even stronger.
Malik Harrison’s $7 Million Price Tag Just Got Too Heavy
Now, for the tough part. As good as Roberts’ return is for the Steelers, it spells doom for Malik Harrison. This veteran is set to make just under $7 million in 2026, which makes him the 11th most expensive player on the roster this season. That’s a huge number to carry for a guy who’s now redundant in a stacked linebacker room. The Steelers signed Harrison, a former Raven, to a two-year, $10 million deal in 2025, and he registered 41 tackles in 11 games last season. Decent numbers, but the financial implications now just don’t add up.
If the Steelers cut Harrison, they would immediately save a massive $4.75 million against the cap. And honestly, with Roberts back in the fold, providing both scheme familiarity and that hard-hitting style fans love, it’s almost a certainty that they’ll make that move. This isn’t just about shuffling players; it’s a cold, hard business decision designed to maximize the roster and cap space.
The Steelers are almost certainly pulling the trigger on Harrison’s release, freeing up that $4.75 million in cap space. This isn’t just a signing; it’s a strategic move to solidify that linebacker room with a known, hard-hitting quantity in Roberts. Pittsburgh clearly isn’t messing around when it comes to roster efficiency.
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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