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Linebackers labeled biggest weakness for Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers
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- Linebackers labeled biggest weakness for Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are refueling new energy with Aaron Rodgers back in the saddle. Especially as he reunites with his former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy . But it appears Rodgers and McCarthy must help mask this weakness per one NFL analyst: Linebackers.
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ESPN rolled out its rankings of strengths and weaknesses for each team. The outlet cites linebacker as the kryptonite here, especially at off-ball linebacker.
" Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson are back as the starters, and that might not be a good thing after Pittsburgh ranked 27th in run stop win rate (28.9%) last season," wrote ESPN NFL analyst Mike Clay.
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Clay mentioned a notable decline in the past prized NFL Free Agency addition Queen.
"Queen remained an every-down player last season. But slipped to 61st among 67 qualified off-ball linebackers in PFF grade (he ranked 54th among 69 qualified in 2024)," Clay said.
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Clay adds that Wilson needed to dig deep just to fight for playing time. And this season looks more of the same.
"Wilson could make a Year 3 leap, though he struggled to fend off Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison , who both remain on the roster, for snaps last season," he wrote.
Age rises as another concern for this unit. While TJ Watt still plays at a high level, he turns 32 this season. Watt's sack numbers have hit a decline too, going from 19 in 2023 to seven last season. Fellow star Alex Highsmith is fresh off delivering 9.5 sacks, but he's the subject of NFL trade rumors for most of the summer.
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