Cole Holcomb

Pending an important physical, Holcomb should step in and start, bringing athleticism and production at a position of great need.

[Patrick Peterson](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/patrick-peterson-4KmsqnIEebydCHmw/) and lineman [Nate Herbig](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/nate-herbig-AvXoSslz4zratLeG/), while re-signing their own free agents [Larry Ogunjobi](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/larry-ogunjobi-JRUkLRHgvOtbUCxx/) and Damontae Kazee. Assuming his physical comes back clean, Holcomb might be the last man standing at that position before long, as Jack is playing the final year of his deal. [NFL](https://theathletic.com/nfl/), starting 15 of 16 games as a rookie. Given his underwhelming performance and the desire for a change of scenery, Bush is likely on his way out of town, too. He also has shown some coverage ability with seven pass breakups and two interceptions in 2021. He was on pace to again lead the Commanders in tackles last season. That would be the one knock on him or concern about his measurables. The Steelers have long prioritized speed at the off-ball linebacker position, looking for a sideline-to-sideline athlete who can play on all three downs and cover. Both of those stats would have ranked first among all linebackers that year. He also registered an 11-foot broad jump and a 6.77 three-cone drill. The physical might be more than just a formality, as Holcomb endured a season-ending foot injury in Week 7 that required surgery. [Follow every deal](https://theathletic.com/4301255/2023/03/13/steelers-free-agency-news-grades-analysis/)

Holcomb and the Steelers have agreed to a three-year contract, pending a physical, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. All contract agreements are ...

The Steelers’ medical staff will need to be convinced that Holcomb will be good to go in order for the contract to be executed, but from all indications the team and the player both expect that he’ll be ready to play this season. All contract agreements are pending a physical, but for Holcomb it could be more important than for most, given that he suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week Seven and Holcomb and the Steelers have agreed to a three-year contract, pending a physical, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Holcomb, 26, was a four-year starter in Washington, but his 2022 season was cut short by foot surgery in December. The deal will not be official until he signs ...

[ With the Steelers, Holcomb will likely replace Robert Spillane and play alongside Myles Jack as a run-stopping linebacker. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound linebacker immediately showed aptitude in defending the run, and had 105 tackles in his rookie season. The deal will not be official until he signs it sometime after 4 p.m., the start of the new league year. Terms of the contract were not immediately reported. Holcomb, 26, was a four-year starter in Washington, but his 2022 season was cut short by foot surgery in December.