Elandon Roberts signs one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t do much on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, unless you count losing free agents as doing something. In that regard, they did plenty. On Monday the Steelers lost Justin Fields to the Jets, Dan Moore to the Titans, Donte Jackson and Najee Harris to the Chargers, and James Daniels to the Dolphins.

You can add a new name to the list, and that was inside linebacker Elandon Roberts. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter the deal was a one-year deal worth $3 million dollars.

The Raiders had a hole on their defense with the departure of Robert Spillane, and the Steelers didn’t have a use for Roberts after signing former Ravens linebacker Malik Harrison. The deal makes sense after the Steelers made their choice to sign Harrison to bolster the inside linebacker room, and the need at the position in Vegas.

To be fair, the vast majority of the Steelers free agents who departed were expected to not return, the exception being Fields, maybe Daniels, and even Roberts. However, the Steelers are playing a numbers game at the inside linebacker position. Last season Roberts was the back-up/thumper at inside linebacker, with Tyler Matakevich being the special teams player. Harrison fills both those roles, taking up two roster spots with just one player.

That doesn’t mean you have to agree with the decision to part ways with Roberts and go in a different direction.

Tuesday brings a new day, and maybe the Steelers will not only sign a quarterback, but also start filling other holes on the roster at different positions. So, be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of free agency and the eventual 2025 NFL Draft.