Steelers Sign Rookie Linebacker after Multiple Injuries

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed rookie linebacker Easton Gibbs, the team announced on Wednesday.

Gibbs, 24, had signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming following the 2024 NFL Draft, but was released by the Seahawks on July 31.

A 6-foot, 234-pound native of Temecula, California, Gibbs spent five years with the Cowboys. After redshirting as a true freshman in 2019, he played in six games in 2020, recording 42 tackles to finish third on the team.

He played and started all 13 games in 2021, finishing second on the team with 90 tackles  and also adding two sacks, four passes defended and a forced fumble. He was named an honorable mention All-Mountain West performer.

In 2022, Gibbs had his best statistical season, racking up 121 tackles to lead the Cowboys and finish third in the MWC and 22nd in the nation. He also recorded nine tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass defense and a forced fumble. Gibbs was named a first-team all-conference player for the first time.

Easton Gibbs, Wyoming Athletics

Gibbs saw his numbers slightly decline as a redshirt senior in 2023, when he recorded 109 tackles, but was named a first-team All-MWC once again.

In pre-draft testing at the 2024 NFL Combine, Gibbs posted mediocre numbers, running a 4.73-second 40-yard dash and showing especially poor explosiveness with a 31.5-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-1 broad jump. He had a 5.26 Relative Athletic Score out of 10.

Gibbs was originally placed on the Non-Football Injury list by the Seahawks on July 18, was activated to the roster on July 25 and released on July 31.

To make room for Gibbs on the roster, the Steelers waived inside linebacker Tyler Murray with an injury designation. Murray was injured during practice on Tuesday. Patrick Queen has also been dealing with a minor foot/ankle injury and will not play in this Friday’s preseason opener.