Continuing with my Steelers Free Agent Target Series, the next position of need is Inside Linebacker. The 2023 Season started off with a brand new ILB room for the Pittsburgh Steelers but by the time the season came to an end, that room looked completely different once again. Cole Holcomb, Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts were all free agents brought to Pittsburgh to solidify the ILB group for the season, but unfortunately Holcomb and Alexander suffered season-ending injuries. Holcomb is still under contract but there is no known timeline of when he will be available for the 2024 season. Roberts is the only starter capable ILB under contract that would be ready to start Day 1 of the 2024 season. With Cole Holcomb coming off a very serious injury and an unproven Mark Robinson, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to add to the ILB room once again.

A few free agents I believe would fit what the Steelers are looking for are:

Willie Gay Jr

• Willie Gay Jr was a former 2nd round pick and a part of the back to back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Gay is young, has the size, skill, production and intangibles you look for in an inside linebacker. In his career Gay has 223 Tackles, 150 Solo, 5 Sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions, and 19 pass defended. Gay Jr has championship pedigree, skill and leadership that can be a tremendous addition to a Steelers defense that has been desperately trying to find.

Patrick Queen

• Patrick Queen would be a huge signing for the Pittsburgh Steelers that may also come with a big price tag; he is physical and a dominant presence in the middle of the defense. For his career, Queen has 454 Tackles, 297 Solo, 13.5 Sacks, 5 Forced Fumbles, 6 Fumble Recoveries, 4 Interceptions and 15 Pass Defended. The Steelers need “young studs” to inject some youth and explosion into their defense, Queen also has an added benefit of playing and knowing AFC North ball.

Jerome Baker

• I HAD to add Jerome Baker to this list last minute as he was not on my radar until he was released but he is definitely a player the Steelers may and should target. In his career Baker has 587 tackles, 22.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 21 pass defended and 6 forced fumbles. Baker is a leader on his team as he wore the green dot on defense and he was also the Dolphins’ nominee for the 2021 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Omar Khan has shown the ability to be creative with the salary cap to create a roster that is competitive. A big swing at a few positions could be just what the Steelers need to get back on the right side of playoff wins.

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