Elandon Roberts Waited Seven Years for Steelers
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PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers new inside linebacker Elandon Roberts met head coach Mike Tomlin seven years ago at his Pro Day at Houston. From that moment on, he knew he wanted the opportunity to play for the black and gold, but never did he think it'd take more than half his career to get here.
Speaking with local media for the first time, Roberts said he's also admired the Steelers and Tomlin from what he's seen and heard around the league.
"I met Mike Tomlin a long time ago at my Pro Day," Roberts said. "And I’ve always said to myself, my wife, if I had the opportunity, it’ll be hard to pull me away from that one. …I joked with Coach Mike and (GM and assistant GM Omar Khan and Andy Weidl) talking about it took seven years, but God’s timing is right on."
It did take nearly a decade, but Roberts is now in Pittsburgh. He comes to the Steelers on a two-year deal after starting 43 games for the Miami Dolphins the last three years. And coming off his best year as a pro, recording 107 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss, Roberts is part of a new regime at inside linebacker for the Steelers - joined by free agent signing Cole Holcomb and new coach Aaron Curry.
"Coming to this organization, that foundation has already been made. It’s my job to earn the trust of my coaches, my teammates, everyone in the building," Roberts said.
Roberts said he had a few options in free agency, but as soon as the Steelers called his mind was made up.
"I can tell you when Pittsburgh came in the fold, it jumped," Roberts said. "It was kind of like, ‘get it done, let’s push to really get this done to Pittsburgh.’ That was my whole mindset once I found out that Pittsburgh was in the fold."
Now, seven years later, Roberts is set to play for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. It's an opportunity for him to play in a defense he believes fits him perfectly, and finally live out the dream of playing for a coach he had his sights on since becoming a pro.
"I've always admired Coach Mike and how he goes about things," Roberts said. "Like I said, I told him at my Pro Day seven years ago, 'Come get me.' And as soon as we talked, the first time we talked, I said, 'It took seven years, huh.' But God's got his time for everything, and I'm just ecstatic to be a part of the organization."
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