Key Takeaways:
– Cole Holcomb, the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker, suffered a season-ending knee injury last season and his future with the team now hangs in the balance.
– Despite having a promising start to the 2023 season, Holcomb’s $7.64 million two-year contract may prove burdensome to the cap for the Steelers.
– Pittsburgh activated free agent Patrick Queen and drafted Payton Wilson as additional inside linebackers, hinting at a possible new direction.
– The extent of Holcomb’s knee injury and his timeline for recovery remain unclear, further muddying his chances of playing in the upcoming season.
Injury Puts Cole Holcomb’s Future in Jeopardy
Cole Holcomb, a veteran linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, could face an uncertain future in the sport. Last season, Holcomb suffered a severe knee injury which halted his games after Week 9. Consequently, Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon posed the question on May 19 if we would see the inside linebacker play another game for the Steelers.
Potential Players to Part Ways with Steelers
Holcomb’s injury led him to feature on a list of significant players potentially facing cuts from their NFL teams this offseason. “The major downer regarding Holcomb’s season-ending knee problem is it may result in his exit from the Steelers,” Kenyon pointed out.
During this offseason, the Steelers invested substantially in signing high-value Patrick Queen while also recruiting Payton Wilson through the draft. This move indicates the chances of the Steelers moving away from Holcomb.
Revamping the Steelers Defense
The first half of the previous season benefitted from Holcomb’s strong addition to the middle of Pittsburgh’s defense. Despite that contribution, the Steelers continued to bolster their inside linebacker echelon this offseason.
Through free agency, the Steelers secured Patrick Queen with a record-setting contract. Additionally, in the NFL draft’s third round, they selected Payton Wilson from NC State. This strategy leaves the Steelers with Elandon Roberts and Mark Robinson for bolstering the inside linebacker depth.
Balancing the Franchise Cap Hit
Cap considerations are a significant factor concerning Holcomb’s position. Despite being valuable with only a $2.72 million cap hit in 2023, Holcomb’s backloaded contract raises his cap hit to $7.64 million for the last two seasons of the deal. The Steelers could save $4.36 million on the cap if they decide to cut him loose this offseason.
Uncertainties About Holcomb’s Return
The timeline for Holcomb’s return to the field after his severe knee injury remains blurry. This mystery could adversely impact his status as a potential cut candidate. The Steelers, so far, have refrained from providing specific updates regarding Holcomb’s injury’s nature or progress.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo expressed skepticism on May 8 about Holcomb being ready for the beginning of the season. He said, “Based on the Steelers’ recent moves, I wager they aren’t banking on a significant contribution from Holcomb this season.”
Holcomb’s battle for recovery continues to unfold, with Instagram posts revealing upper body workouts. However, his return seems unlikely to be anytime soon, making his future with the Steelers even more uncertain.