While it is true that the NFL is a business at the end of the day, sometimes a player is just a perfect match for a team’s culture and wants more than anything to end their career there.
That is the case for Elandon Roberts, a linebacker who is a throwback to the days of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens rivalry in the 2000s, featuring ‘backers like James Harrison and Ray Lewis.
“I look forward to retiring a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Roberts told local all-sports station 93.7 The Fan. “I don’t think I’m leaving Pittsburgh. I think I’m gonna continue to do what I need to do for the team.”
Roberts comes off the field on passing downs but has made a name for himself as an elite run defender, which he proved on multiple occasions in Pittsburgh’s most recent win over the Cleveland Browns.
I’ve never seen a linebacker seek-and-destroy pullers/linemen in space like Elandon Roberts. Cut-up from just the last two years.
Truly a dude who could’ve played football in any era. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/GSrZjjoWSF
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) December 10, 2024
Roberts is now 30 years old, having spent the first seven years of his career with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins before signing with Pittsburgh in 2023.
Yet, in just two years in the Steel City, Elandon has found something he did not find in triple that time in other cities.
In his first season with the Steelers, he tied his personal records for solo tackles (68) and tackles for loss (10) from his last year with Miami.
Now in his second year in Pittsburgh, Roberts’ snap count has fallen, through no fault of his own; Pittsburgh selected Bednarik award winner Payton Wilson in the draft and thus far has a healthier linebackers room than last year.
But make no mistake, he remains critical to the Steelers’ success, especially on early downs and short yardage situations, like this one from Sunday.
Elandon Roberts is a heat seeking missile. pic.twitter.com/OgsakENpeA
— Billy Hartford (@CamHeywardFan) December 11, 2024
His two-year, $7 million dollar contract expires after the 2024 season, so if the Steelers feel the same way about Roberts that he does about them, then the organization will have to fork out some cash to keep him into 2025 and beyond.
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