Suggesting Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison as a cut candidate this offseason is nothing new. Pundits have argued that possibility throughout this spring. But recently, Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders floated an intriguing scenario for the team at linebacker.
What if the Steelers released Harrison in order to bring back former Pittsburgh starting inside linebacker Elandon Roberts?
“If the Steelers want to save some money at the position, they could release Harrison and bring back Roberts, who filled the same role, and did so just as well, for much less money,” wrote Saunders. “Roberts played for Patrick Graham with the Las Vegas Raiders last season.”
Roberts started 29 games for the Steelers from 2023-24. In 2023, he posted 101 combined tackles, including 10 tackles for loss with 2.5 sacks and two pass defenses.
Last season, he played for Patrick Graham’s defense with the Las Vegas Raiders. Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy hired Graham as Pittsburgh’s new defensive coordinator this offseason.
Under Graham, Roberts had 90 combined tackles, including six for loss in 17 games during 2025.
Cutting Harrison would save the Steelers $4.75 million in cap space. Harrison had 41 combined tackles in 11 games last season.
Why Steelers Reunion With Elandon Roberts Makes Sense
Roberts turned 32 years old in April. That’s the biggest reason not to bring back the inside linebacker.
During his last season with the Steelers in 2024, Roberts lost playing time to Payton Wilson. Pittsburgh still has Wilson and starter Patrick Queen, who was also on the roster in 2024.
So, it’s fair to wonder what kind of role would Roberts have with a return to the Steelers.
It might be a much more prominent one under Graham. In the defensive coordinator’s unit with the Raiders, Roberts played 654 defensive snaps. That was his most since 2022.
Roberts and Graham missed each other with the New England Patriots. Graham coached linebackers in New England from 2014-15, and Roberts joined the Patriots in 2016.
But one could say they are cut from the same cloth. Graham deploys a defense similar to the one Roberts played in to begin his career. He had success in it again as a veteran last year.
Should Steelers Release LB Malik Harrison?
Harrison somewhat underwhelmed during his first season with the Steelers last fall. An early season injury was part of why.
That sidelined him to begin the regular campaign. Harrison returned to play 11 games, which included nine starts. While he was versatile, contributing on defense and special teams, he didn’t standout.
If the Steelers start counting pennies this summer, they could save money with his release as Saunders suggested.
The Steelers have a deep linebacker group already. They could move on from Harrison and roll with Queen, Wilson, Cole Holcomb and Carson Bruener and be fine. The team also has undrafted rookie Daylan Carnell on the offseason roster.
But if general manager Omar Khan parted ways with Harrison, Roberts should be on the short list of potential external replacements if the team wanted to add one.
Besides age, the biggest concern with a Roberts-Harrison swap would be whether Roberts would play on special teams. He did that for the Steelers in 2023 and 2024 and has throughout his career.
But with the Raiders last season, Roberts played zero special teams snaps.
Steelers Could Reunite With Former Starter If $10 Million LB Gets Cut