The Pittsburgh Steelers have quite a few unknowns currently as it relates to this football team. This is because it is Mike McCarthy’s first year as head coach in the Steel City. Many are curious about which direction the team will go now that Mike Tomlin is no longer in the fold. The next few weeks will continue to be telling, as will the months leading up to the 2026 season. Free agency and the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are expected to be major factors in showing the fan base the direction McCarthy wants to take the team from the start.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers’ new head coach Mike McCarthy with Team President Art Rooney II and General Manager Omar Khan at McCarthy’s introductory press conference in Pittsburgh.
The staff McCarthy has assembled has been completed and has received mostly praise among NFL analysts and Steelers insiders. Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham is an exciting hire for Pittsburgh and could help reshape a defense that has been inconsistent in recent seasons despite being loaded with talent. One of the intriguing possibilities is the potential return of former linebacker Elandon Roberts, a player many Steelers fans remember fondly for his leadership and playmaking ability.
Interest in Roberts’ return likely intensified after current Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz shared strong words about him on his podcast. Fans are eager to see whether McCarthy and his staff will be able to bring back familiar faces while also putting their stamp on the roster. The coming weeks and months will be critical in setting the tone for McCarthy’s tenure and giving Pittsburgh supporters a clearer picture of what this new era will look like.
“If I’m getting into a fight and I gotta call one person, it literally might be E-Rob. Like, I think I’m calling E-Rob,” Kuntz said Thursday on his podcast. “I hope we get him back. I know he’s a free agent. I know the DC we signed, Patrick Graham, is close with E-Rob from Vegas, so I’m hoping E-Rob comes back, ’cause he was one of the better teammates I’ve had in my career.”
Roberts entering free agency at 31 years old has opened the door for speculation among Steelers fans about the possibility of his return to Pittsburgh. After signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2025 season, many supporters were disappointed to see him leave.
Kevin Terrell / Associated Press
Ex-Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham stands on the sideline with his headset on as the team competes in a professional football game.
At the time, however, most understood the decision given how the linebacker depth chart was structured and the limited opportunities available. Roberts’ departure was not a slight against his talent, but rather a matter of roster dynamics. Now, with Graham joining Pittsburgh as defensive coordinator, questions are arising about whether the pieces may finally align for a reunion.
Kuntz’s comments on his podcast highlighted just how highly Roberts is regarded among his former teammates. Kuntz called him one of the best teammates of his career and suggested that if he had to rely on one person in a difficult situation, it would be Roberts.
Those words resonate with fans because they point to the type of veteran leadership and locker room presence that goes beyond statistics. With Graham having previously worked with Roberts in Las Vegas, there is a credible path for a potential return.
Steelers Could Get Elandon Roberts Back For This Price
From a financial standpoint, Roberts represents a rare value in today’s market. His current market rate sits at $4.2 million, meaning the Steelers could potentially acquire a proven defensive leader at a price below market expectations. For a team looking to add experience and stability to a defense in transition under a new coaching regime, Roberts checks multiple boxes. However, he is older in terms of NFL years.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Steelers inside linebacker Elandon Roberts (50) waits for the snap during the team’s Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
For fans, the possibility of seeing one of their favorite players return adds intrigue and excitement to an offseason already full of questions. Roberts’ situation is a reminder that even in the ever-changing world of the NFL, relationships and leadership often matter as much as talent on the field.
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