Ironically, the Steelers picked up linebacker Joe Schobert right at the same time as their defense was giving up a 79-yard touchdown during their second preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 27 year old linebacker spent one year with Jacksonville after spending his first 4 NFL seasons in the factory of sadness…I mean Cleveland. Schobert is just one year into his 5 year deal worth $53.75 million. Schobert is due $7 million this season.

Through 77 regular season games, Schobert has recorded 549 tackles, 11 sacks, 9 interceptions, 24 passes defensed, 9 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Schobert’s breakout season was with the Browns in 2017 when he led the NFL with 144 tackles. That year, he also forced 3 fumbles and had 3 sacks. During Cleveland’s 2019 rare win over Pittsburgh, Schobert recorded 10 tackles, a sack and 2 picks off of QB Mason Rudolph.

Schobert will add lots of depth to the Steelers defense which is what they need after losing inside linebacker Vince Williams to retirement. The Steelers inside linebacker core now consists of Robert Spillane, Devin Bush, Marcus Allen, Ulysees Gilbert, Tegray Scales, and rookie Buddy Johnson out of Texas A&M.