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Beat Writer Thinks Payton Wilson Three-Down LB Experiment Failed, Cole Holcomb Is ‘The Guy’

Before the season, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said the Steelers have three every-down linebackers in Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, and Cole Holcomb. Two weeks in, Wilson’s struggles suggest that number might be closer to two.

Holcomb took over as the starter in Week 3 and played slightly over half the defensive snaps—slightly more than Wilson. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo expects that trend to continue.

“Yeah, I think especially in the base. I think he was good against the run and obviously he had that big play early in the football game,” Fittipaldo said via 93.