Steelers seem unconcerned about missing out on inside linebacker in draft

Eagles release inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks

By Chris Wesseling
Around the NFL Writer
Published: May 22, 2018

"Now that he's free, Kendricks figures to generate plenty of interest on the open market, perhaps even from the cross-state Steelers, who are still in search of a replacement for Ryan Shazier."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000933857/article/eagles-release-inside-linebacker-mychal-kendricks

Kendrick’s would be a welcomed upgrade at ILB but they would need to work some numbers to be able to afford him.

SteelerFreak58 wrote:

Kendrick’s would be a welcomed upgrade at ILB but they would need to work some numbers to be able to afford him.

Eagles cut OLB Mychal Kendricks

The Eagles had been trying to find a trade partner for Mychal Kendricks all offseason, but they've finally thrown in the towel. The cap-strapped team finally cut Kendricks, who was owed close to $6 million in 2018.

Though the Eagles couldn't trade Kendricks, the talented linebacker will surely generate heavy interest based on how well he performed in 2017. He can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4, but would probably be better in the 4-3 formation.

Here are some teams that could sign Kendricks:

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers don't have much cap space ($6 million) or they'd be higher on this list. They're desperate for talented linebackers.

http://walterfootball.com/nflpossibilities.php

I like Kendricks, but he's not worth the price he wants. Despite what he's saying he's a 2-down linebacker who's excellent against the run, but terrible in coverage.

Jon Bostic the rare ‘every down linebacker’ the Steelers have been searching for

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to find someone who could at least attempt to replace Ryan Shazier, and Jon Bostic might just be the man for the job.

By Jeff.Hartman@BnGBlitz May 24, 2018

Everyone knows the narrative by now.

The Pittsburgh Steelers needed to find a player who could at least attempt to be the answer at inside linebacker in place of Pro Bowler Ryan Shazier — and they failed to do so.

They tried to move up in the 2018 NFL Draft to pick Rashaan Evans, but failed, and they didn’t address the position in the other rounds.

But maybe they didn’t have to, after all, they did go out and pick up free agent linebacker Jon Bostic, who played last year for the Indianapolis Colts. Bostic is one of the few linebackers who can call themselves a pure three down linebacker.

“I’m a three-down backer; it’s tough to find those nowadays,” Bostic told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after his first time on the practice field with his new teammates. “I’m a backer that can play either or spot, I can play middle, I can play Will, it really doesn’t matter to me. I’ve done that throughout my career. I’m a bigger guy who can run. And I can cover as well. A lot of people don’t know that.”

to read rest of article:

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2018/5/24/17389620/jon-bostic-the-rare-every-down-linebacker-the-steelers-have-been-searching-for-ryan-shazier-nfl

Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebackers say they're solid even with Ryan Shazier out for season

Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers' inside linebackers might as well come with a warning label: Don't write us off just because Ryan Shazier is out.

Pittsburgh will miss Shazier, who will not play football in 2018 due to spinal stabilization surgery in December, but Tyler Matakevich "absolutely" takes issue with the perception that linebacker is a problem area.

to read rest of article:

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23642097/pittsburgh-steelers-linebackers-good-minus-ryan-shazier

Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs May 22-24: what we learned

By SAM QUINN

TYLER MATAKEVICH IS CURRENTLY AHEAD OF JON BOSTIC

Jon Bostic was expected to be the starter at inside linebacker next to Vince Williams coming into the offseason program, but it was Tyler Matakevich who opened OTAs with that role. He would have had a chance to take that job last season had he not been injured in the same game that Ryan Shazier was, but the team clearly likes him as a player. Bostic has started more off of draft pedigree and need than actual performance in his career, so the Steelers might view him properly as a backup. What we know for certain is that this is a competition. Bostic was not signed with the idea that he was guaranteed a starting job. Whoever lines up in Shazier's spot will have earned that right.

https://247sports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/ContentGallery/Pittsburgh-Steelers-OTAs-May-22-24-what-we-learned-118597014/#118597014_6

If Matakevich is expected to start we're in deep trouble.

I would love for them to sign Kendricks, but I don't think that's going to happen. I'd like to see what Matekevich does when he's healthy. If he can get over the injury bug, and play to his potential he might surprise us.

IowaSteeler927 wrote:

I would love for them to sign Kendricks, but I don't think that's going to happen

Browns to sign Mychal Kendricks

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 3, 2018

At a time when free agent signings have slowed to a trickle, the Browns are still bolstering their defense.

Free agent linebacker Mychal Kendricks will sign a one-year deal to play the 2018 season in Cleveland, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Kendricks had a busy week last week, visiting the Browns as well as the Vikings and Raiders. He was released by the Eagles the week before and immediately started drawing interest.

to read rest of article:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/06/03/browns-to-sign-mychal-kendricks/

Steelers ILBs Vince Williams, Tyler Matakevich don't expect drop-off

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Thursday, June 14, 2018



It's been 17 years since the Steelers went into a season without a first-round pick atop the depth chart at one of their inside linebacker spots.

How long has it been since there wasn't a first- or second-rounder starting at either spot? Try Bill Cowher's debut season in 1992.

If Penn State is "Linebacker U," it could be argued the Steelers are "Linebacker Inc." And the franchise that has prided itself on linebackers for a half-century typically has prioritized acquiring high-pedigree talent at the position. The Steelers' two current starters at outside linebacker are former first-round picks.

That's why it's so different to scan the Steelers depth chart at ILB. It features sixth-rounder Vince Williams and seventh-rounder Tyler Matakevich. Behind them are a journeyman on his fifth team and four undrafted players.

to read rest of article:

http://triblive.com/pghtrib/localsports/13760961-74/steelers-ilbs-vince-williams-tyler-matakevich-dont-expect-drop-off

Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Matakevich is the “answer”

by Noah Strackbein

So, apparently, while everyone was out there searching for offseason signings and first-round draft picks the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider, they were keeping an eye on the player who will actually replace Ryan Shazier.

According to ESPN, Tyler Matakevich is the Steelers’ surprise standout player of the offseason. Jeremy Fowler usually knows what he’s talking about. He says Matakevich is finally playing with the edge that gives him the high ground over offseason signing, Jon Bostic.

to read rest of article:

https://stillcurtain.com/2018/06/16/pittsburgh-steelers-tyler-matakevich-answer/

Hawaii 5-0 wrote:

Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Matakevich is the “answer”

by Noah Strackbein

So, apparently, while everyone was out there searching for offseason signings and first-round draft picks the Pittsburgh Steelers should consider, they were keeping an eye on the player who will actually replace Ryan Shazier.

According to ESPN, Tyler Matakevich is the Steelers’ surprise standout player of the offseason. Jeremy Fowler usually knows what he’s talking about. He says Matakevich is finally playing with the edge that gives him the high ground over offseason signing, Jon Bostic.

to read rest of article:

https://stillcurtain.com/2018/06/16/pittsburgh-steelers-tyler-matakevich-answer/

I really hope this is the case, Dirty Red was banged up last season, so I definitely don't think we got to see what he could offer. Hoping this is a breakout season for him.

Can Steelers ILB Matthew Thomas prove his athleticism?

CHRIS ADAMSKI | Monday, July 23, 2018

With Steelers training camp opening this week, the Trib is spotlighting a handful of the 90 attendees who might not be big names but who are fighting for a roster spot and potentially could make an impact on the 2018 team. This is the first in that series that will run leading into reporting day at St. Vincent College on Wednesday.

When the Steelers didn’t take an inside linebacker with their first-round pick April 26, most assumed they’d end up with one over the next two days of the draft.

Technically, those people were correct: while the Steelers did not draft a linebacker this year, they did acquire one by the end of the day of the draft’s final four rounds.

And that player was one of the most physically-gifted inside linebackers available.

to read rest of article:

https://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13893007-74/ilb-matthew-thomas-has-shaziertimmons-type-athleticism-but-can-he-show-it-for