The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2024.

Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do the same here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.

Next up are linebackers Kwon Alexander and Mykal Walker.

Kwon Alexander

Position: Linebacker
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 9
Contract Status: Free Agent
Contract Details: Contract expiring with no dead money
Games played in 2023: 9 regular season
Games started in 2023: 2 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 362 (defense), 5 (special teams)
PFF score: 59.0 (64th of 82)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Alexander had 41 tackles, 1.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception.

Notes: Joining the Steelers during training camp in 2023, Kwon Alexander saw extensive action in the Steelers first eight games of the season until he tore his Achilles early in the Steelers Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Signing a one-year, veteran salary benefit contract with the Steelers, Alexander is now a free agent to start the 2024 league year. The three-man rotation the Steelers had at inside linebacker to start 2023 seemed to be working well, but after two of them went down it was a patchwork unit the rest of the season. Alexander did show his worth to the Steelers, but the extent of his injury will most likely drive his status for next year. If Alexander is able to return and is willing to play under a similar contract, he could be right back in the mix for the Steelers next season.

Mykal Walker

Position: Linebacker
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 4
Contract Status: Free Agent
Contract Details: Contract expiring with no dead money
Games played in 2023: 8 regular season
Games started in 2023: 5 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 294 (defense), 11 (special teams)
PFF score: 52.3 (76th of 82)
Notable stats: During the regular season, Walker had 33 tackles, 2 passes defensed, and one interception.

Notes: When the Steelers lost Cole Holcomb for the season, they signed Mykal Walker to the practice squad. Unfortunately, two weeks later Kwon Alexander went down and Walker was signed the active roster. Thrust into the Steelers starting lineup, Walker was the other man to start the game at inside linebacker in five of the next eight regular season contests as well as the Steelers playoff game. One of the players who came in “off the couch” according to Mike Tomlin, Walker’s usage varied from game to game based on availability of others and the game plan against their particular opponents. While jumping on the moving train, Walker filled in adequately but was not always the Steelers best option. While the Steelers could bring him back for training camp in 2024, there would be no guaranteed roster spot. More than likely, Walker may find his services more useful with another team.

Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:

Broderick Jones & Chuks Okorafor
Joey Porter Jr. & Levi Wallace
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Rodney Williams
Nick Herbig & Markus Golden
Cory Trice Jr. & James Pierre
Spencer Anderson & Dylan Cook
Kenny Pickett & Mason Rudolph
George Pickens & Miles Boykin
DeMarvin Leal & Armon Watts
Calvin Austin III & Allen Robinson
Connor Heyward & Godwin Igwebuike
Mark Robinson & Blake Martinez
Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren
Pat Freiermuth & Diontae Johnson
Dan Moore Jr. & Mason Cole
Isaiahh Loudermilk & Larry Ogunjobi
Pressley Harvin and Christian Kuntz