Steelers Reunite With Veteran LB Elandon Roberts

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are bolstering their inside linebacker room, signing free agent Elandon Roberts to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Roberts returns to Pittsburgh after a year away when he played for the Las Vegas Raiders. His return to the Steelers marks his third season with the team, playing in 33 games and 29 starts during his first two-year stretch. He recorded 147 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and a forced fumble during those two seasons.

Reunion: veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts, who played in Pittsburgh during the 2023-2024 seasons, reached agreement today with the Steelers on a one-year deal, per source. pic.twitter.com/Zpg0I72ghQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 13, 2026

Roberts, 32, is entering his 11th season in the NFL. He played four with the New England Patriots and three with the Miami Dolphins before joining the Steelers for two years and spending the 2025 season with the Raiders.

For the Steelers, they add another run-stuffing linebacker to their room as they prepare for the regular season. Roberts now joins the mix with Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, Carson Bruener and Malik Harrison as players who could make the 53-man roster.

It may mean that one of those players gets cut, but right now, the Steelers have not yet announced a move alongside Roberts.

Roberts Fits Perfectly

The Steelers are the perfect landing spot for Roberts, and he's the perfect addition for them. A true thumper who excels in the run game and can bring a ton of leadership back to Pittsburgh, Roberts fits a hole this team has carried all offseason.

There also shouldn't be much of a learning curve. Roberts spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Steelers, working with players like Payton Wilson, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and others. Then, in 2025, he worked in Patrick Graham's defense with the Raiders. So, he should already know the playbook and be able to aclimate well with the players around him.

There have been concerns about Pittsburgh's depth at the position since last season when Wilson and Queen struggled at times. Holcomb can hopefully fill more of a role this season, now being a full season back from his knee injury, but that's still unknown. And Harrison has seemingly fallen off from the defense.

Roberts should be working himself into the rotation pretty immediately, whether that be as a backup or starter. Right now, either is an option. And he'll almost certainly add a boost to a defense that has already looked good this training camp.

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