The Pittsburgh Steelers made one of the more surprising roster cuts around the league Sunday. Before the 6 pm roster deadline, the Steelers released veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts.
The team cut ties with Roberts roughly two weeks after signing him to a new deal.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan addressed the linebacker in his press conference Monday, though, and made clear that the team could bring back the veteran.
“Not closing the door on that by any means,” Khan told reporters. “I have a lot of respect for E-Rob. We have some history with him, and he’s done a good job.
“Love the player. Love the person. I’m certainly not closing the door.”
Roberts started 29 games for the Steelers from 2023-24. In 2023, he posted 101 combined tackles, including 10 for loss.
Last season, he played for the Las Vegas Raiders and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The DC is entering his first season on the Steelers coaching staff.
Steelers Open to Re-Signing LB Elandon Roberts
Khan’s answer confirmed what a lot of Steelers pundits argued over the last 24 hours — the team should re-sign Roberts in some capacity.
After he signed his contract in the preseason, Roberts seemed like a natural fit to return to Pittsburgh’s defense in 2026. Roberts previously started for the Steelers and in Graham’s defense (with the Raiders). He would be another veteran for the team’s defense who also can play on special teams.
The Steelers, though, already had solid inside linebacker depth. Instead of releasing either Cole Holcomb or Carson Bruener, Roberts received the axe Sunday.
Steelers Keep Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener Instead of Roberts
Some social media users argued Monday that Roberts deserves a spot ahead of Holcomb and Bruener.
In 2023, Roberts and Holcomb both started in the middle of Pittsburgh’s defense. Holcomb suffered a serious knee injury in November of that year and finally returned last season. The Steelers made Holcomb a priority this offseason, re-signing him to a new deal on the first day of NFL free agency.
Bruener is part of the team’s new wave of rookies and young players on the roster. The Steelers have kept 35 of their last 38 drafted players on initial 53-man rosters over the last few seasons. A lot of those former rookies remain on the roster as well.
The Steelers picked Bruener in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He appears to have a long NFL future as a special teams ace. The Steelers don’t seem willing to sacrifice having Bruener contribute on special teams in the long run over what Roberts would bring in 2026.
The Steelers could try to re-sign Roberts to their practice squad. Such a move would allow Pittsburgh to keep Holcomb and Bruener on the active roster.
But it’s not clear Roberts is willing to be a practice squad member, especially for an organization that just released him Sunday.
Roberts has 157 NFL games of experience and started 121 contests during his career. With four different teams, he’s posted 694 combined tackles, 14.5 sacks, 13 pass defenses, five forced fumbles and one interception.
Steelers’ Omar Khan Speaks out on Elandon Roberts After Surprise Release