Former Steelers LB Shines With Raiders in Monday Night Win

Former Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane shined on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers, grabbing two interceptions in the team’s key 17-13 win. Spillane has been a critical starter at middle linebacker for the Raiders, and the two interceptions proved to be his most critical plays yet with his new team.

The Raiders picked off Jordan Love three times on Monday. Spillane has never been adept in coverage but has a ballhawk mentality underneath to make those splash plays at times. For the Steelers, Spillane’s pick-six on Lamar Jackson is the one that comes to mind when you think of his plays in coverage. Spillane had those two interceptions, nine tackles, and two pass deflections. Spillane made his impact all over the field, and this was his best game with the Raiders.

His play with the Raiders has maintained the status quo that Steelers fans would be used to on the field. He lacks elite athleticism to make high-level plays in coverage and sideline-to-sideline, but Spillane has good instincts and can play downhill. That is where he shines.

Spillane agreed to a two-year deal worth $9 million, $4 million of which is guaranteed with the Raiders this offseason. In 2022, he played in 16 games and started five, earning playing time without the benefit of a starter injury for the first time in his career. Spillane played a career-high 59% of the team’s defensive snaps while maintaining his status as a special teams regular.

Spillane finished the season with 79 tackles, the most in his career, and third on the team, behind only Myles Jack and Minkah Fitzpatrick. He also had four tackles for loss, one sack, and four passes defended. Pittsburgh ended up flipping their entire inside linebacker room, and Spillane left. Pittsburgh is getting better play from their inside linebackers this year than they received last year from the group.

However, Spillane is still finding quality work in Las Vegas. He plays 100 percent of the snaps in most games for the Raiders and wears the team’s green dot. Monday’s game should only reinforce their belief in Spillane.