Cole Holcomb Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers fill glaring hole with latest move

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 3/15/23

The Steelers have been fairly busy since the start of free agency on Monday. However, after the first two days, they still had a clear hole in their roster. They finally addressed that position today.

Pittsburgh agreed to sign LB Cole Holcomb to a three-year deal pending physical this week.

The #Steelers agreed to terms with former #Commanders LB Cole Holcomb earlier this week on a three-year deal pending physical, per source.

Holcomb, 26, has started 48 games for Washington. A big addition to Pittsburgh’s defense. pic.twitter.com/iiquOESnsp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 15, 2023

Holcomb, who is still only 26, had 69 tackles in just seven games in 2022. But it might be the linebacker's 2021 season when he totaled 142 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and two interceptions that caught the eye of the Steelers.

Before agreeing to sign Holcomb, Pittsburgh had just four inside linebackers under contract for 2023. Only two (Myles Jack & Mark Robinson) had in-game experience with the Steelers, maybe making this addition the most important thus far.

Steelers ILBs under contract for 2023

Myles Jack
Mark Robinson
Tae Crowder
Chapelle Russell #Steelers #NFL
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) March 14, 2023

After things didn't work out with LB Devin Bush, Pittsburgh is hoping Holcomb, who went 163 picks after Bush in the 2019 NFL Draft, can be the answer.

The three-year deal hints the Steelers are confident in him being a part of their future and not just a placeholder. With 48 games of starting experience and wearing the green dot in Washington, Holcomb is certainly providing those in Pittsburgh with optimism for 2023 and beyond.

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