When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed ILB Cole Holcomb to a three-year deal ahead of the 2023 season, the thought was that they were getting their starting linebacker for the foreseeable future. However, a severe knee injury halfway through the 2023 campaign cost Holcomb the rest of the season and all of the 2024 season, landing him on the Physically Unable To Perform List as he continued to rehab.
Knowing that Holcomb was likely to miss all of last season, Pittsburgh went to work to replace his presence on the depth chart. They signed LB Patrick Queen to a lucrative contract in free agency.