Rich Eisen: Steelers Signing of Myles Jack among Top Under-the-Radar Moves of 2022

The Pittsburgh Steelers signing inside linebacker Myles Jack to a free-agent contract was named one of the top under-the-radar moves of the NFL offseason by NFL Network host Rich Eisen on Thursday.

Eisen named the addition of Jack to the Pittsburgh defense from the Jacksonville Jaguars as the second-best under-the-radar signing in the NFL this offseason.

His best move was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signing former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage. The Buffalo Bills signing offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, the Miami Dolphins adding wide receiver Cedrick Wilson and running back Raheem Mostert and the New England Patriots landing safety Jabril Peppers were the rest of Eisen’s top moves.

The Steelers signed Jack to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million in salary with a $6.5 million signing bonus. Jack was released by the Jaguars in a cap-space saving move.

The Jaguars’ second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of UCLA, Jack was an immediate starter for the Jaguars, playing right outside linebacker, middle linebacker and left outside linebacker over his time with the team. 

At 6-foot-1 and 244 pounds, he projects to play inside linebacker with the Steelers, likely slotting in alongside Devin Bush and replacing fellow former Jaguars inside linebacker Joe Schobert.

In six seasons with Jacksonville, Jack played in 88 games and started 82 of them. He recorded 513 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 15 passes defended.

His best statistical season was in 2020, when he hd a career-high 118 tackles and six tackles for loss while playing in just 14 games.

In coverage, he was targeted 60 times in 2021, allowing 47 receptions for 475 yards and two touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF gave Jack the lowest marks of his career in 2021, with a 37.7 overall grade, 40.5 as a run defender, 67.3 as a tackler, 54 as a pass rusher and 43.3 in coverage. His previous-season grades were more regularly in the 60s. 

Jack is one of seven potential starters signed by the Steelers in free agency, along with cornerback Levi Wallace, safety Damontae Kazee quarterback Mitch Trubisky, and offensive lineman Mason Cole and James Daniels.