Following Week 9 of the previous season, veteran linebacker Cole Holcomb did not play a down for the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a significant knee injury. On May 19, David Kenyon of Bleacher Report questioned whether Holcomb would ever take a snap for the Steelers again.
On a list of the top players “who could still be cut” from their NFL teams this offseason, Kenyon listed the inside linebacker.
The possibility of Cole Holcomb’s release is the most regrettable aspect of his season-ending knee injury, according to Kenyon. “The Steelers added Payton Wilson in the draft and signed high-priced player Patrick Queen this offseason.
“Pittsburgh might just decide to take a different approach without Holcomb, who recorded 54 tackles in just eight games the previous year.”
Holcomb was a valuable addition to Pittsburgh’s defense in the first part of the previous campaign. However, the Steelers added even more players at inside linebacker this offseason, as Kenyon pointed out.
Pittsburgh signed Patrick Queen to a record-breaking deal in free agency. Payton Wilson of NC State was then chosen by the Steelers in the third round of the NFL Draft.
For depth at inside linebacker, the Steelers still have Elandon Roberts and Mark Robinson.
Is Cole Holcomb to be released by the Steelers due to a knee injury and cap hit?
Holcomb was having a great 2023 season, even if he might not have been on his way to being named an All-Pro or Pro Bowl player. He ranked seventh for Pittsburgh in defensive snaps and tied for the team lead in tackles prior to his injury ruling him out for the whole season.
Furthermore, in terms of cap space, the linebacker was extremely valued. Only a $2.72 million cap hit was imposed on Holcomb in 2023.
However, due to the veteran’s backloaded contract, his cap cost increases to $7.64 million for the last two seasons of the agreement. By cutting him this offseason, the Steelers would be able to avoid paying the cap $4.36 million.
Because of his knee, nobody wants to see Holcomb discharged. However, the NFL is a brutal industry
The Steelers could rather have the extra cap room if they don’t think Holcomb can return to being one of the team’s top four inside linebackers in 2024.
On November 2, during a game against the Tennessee Titans, Holcomb hurt his knee. With four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two pass defenses, and two forced fumbles in eight games, he concluded the season with 54 total tackles.
