Steelers Make Big Change to Shuffle Linebacker Room

PITTSBURGH — With the inside linebacker struggles continuing, the Steelers will turn Myles Jack for some help. The veteran, who remains on the practice squad, has yet to play in a game this season after unretiring to join Pittsburgh. But with Jack and Blake Martinez having come into the room with enough time to assimilate, it would seem likely that the group could see an overhaul.

On Monday, Mike Tomlin revealed that Jack will see more playing time and have a chance to play this week. He joins safety Eric Rowe as the veteran options the team has to make plays and turn over stones on the defensive side of the football. With Mykal Walker and Mark Robinson struggling so much, the team has to look to make an impact at linebacker, and Jack feels like the last leaf to turn over there.

Jack has the unique advantage of playing in the defense. He has helped Martinez while trying to get into football shape. But he feels like he is nearly there. So, while Jack had to learn some of the tweaks made in the system, there is nothing dramatically different. If needed, he will be ready to go.

“If need be, absolutely,” Jack said. “I’m just waiting to see. If they give me the green light, I’m ready to go. It’s the same system as last year. You can tell they’ve been growing it a little bit, but that’s just tweaks. It’s all very similar. I know it. It’s like hopping back on a bike. It takes two to three weeks to get acclimated, and I keep it pushing.”

Jack, 28, played in 15 games and made 13 starts for the Steelers last year. He led the Steelers in tackles with 104 last season, and also had three tackles for loss, three passes defended and one quarterback hit.

A second-round draft pick out of UCLA by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, Jack spent six seasons with the Jaguars before joining the Steelers as a free agent in 2022.