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The most impactful returning Steelers defender might not be T.J. Watt or Cameron Heyward

Robert Spillane was a special teams player most Steeler fans didn’t think much of a year ago, when depth at inside linebacker was considered a serious problem. The Steelers didn’t even think enough of Spillane to give him rotational snaps on defense, but when he stepped on the field in Week 6, replacing the Steelers fantastic young linebacker Devin Bush, he didn’t play like a backup, or a journeyman. He played like a Steeler linebacker.

Run defense

With Robert Spillane replacing Devin Bush, the Steelers had to alter how they used their inside linebackers.