Steelers Add Potential ‘Strong, Steady Presence’ With LB Signing: Report

Getty Head coach Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers signed undrafted free agent linebacker Easton Gibbs on August 7.

The Pittsburgh Steelers added another intriguing undrafted free agent rookie on August 7. NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported the Steelers signed linebacker Easton Gibbs to their 90-man roster.

In a corresponding move, the Steelers waived injured linebacker Tyler Murray. The team confirmed the two transactions with an announcement on August 7.

Gibbs began his NFL career in May as an undrafted free agent for the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle placed him on the Active/Non-Football Injury List on July 18, but he returned to the field after passing his physical on July 25.

The Seahawks then released him on July 30.

Gibbs played in college at Wyoming. Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney referred to him as “a unique developmental story.”

“He has the making of a strong, steady presence on special teams and might be able to handle some passing down duties at times early on,” wrote Carney in his draft profile for the linebacker.

Steelers Sign LB Easton Gibbs, Release Tyler Murray

The Steelers added Gibbs just two days prior to their first preseason game against the Houston Texans on August 9. Gibbs, though, was already practicing for Pittsburgh on August 7 and appears to have a chance to play in the game.

Steeler Depot’s Alex Kozora wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Gibbs will wear No. 34.

In five seasons at Wyoming, Gibbs posted 362 total tackles, including 22.5 tackles for loss. He also had 7 sacks, 11 pass defenses, 4 forced fumbles and 1 interception in 46 games.

Gibbs became a star for the Wyoming defense in 2022. He made first-team All-Mountain West that season and then again during 2023.

He registered a career-high 121 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss and 3 sacks in 2022. Gibbs then had 109 total tackles and a career-best 6 pass defenses during 2023.

To make room for Gibbs, the Steelers departed with Murray, who suffered a groin injury on August 6.

Murray spent the second half of the 2023 season on the Steelers practice squad. He signed as an undrafted free agent last May with the Cincinnati Bengals.

During college, Murray played at Troy, Charlotte and Memphis.

Steelers LB Depth Chart Heading Into the 2024 Preseason

The Steelers released their first official depth chart on August 6. Gibbs is not yet on the depth chart, but he’s one of six inside linebackers on the roster.

Therefore, Gibbs likely faces a difficult task making Pittsburgh’s roster.

Veteran linebackers Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts are projected to start in the middle of the Steelers defense. The team is also bullish on third-round rookie linebacker Payton Wilson.

For additional depth on the inside, the Steelers have Mark Robinson and Tyler Matakevich. The Steelers re-signed Matakevich, who the team drafted during the seventh round of the 2016 draft, on July 17.

Even with Cole Holcomb, who was leading Steelers inside linebackers in defensive snaps last season when he suffered a season-ending injury, still on the PUP list, there’s not a lot of room at inside linebacker for the Steelers.

But it should still be exciting to see what Gibbs could bring to Pittsburgh over the next couple weeks.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on August 7 that Queen will not play in the team’s first preseason game. Perhaps that will give Gibbs an additional opportunity for game repetitions.