The Pittsburgh Steelers are solidly in the throws of training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. They are testing out the veterans they have against the newly acquired players and seeing where they still might have to fill in some holes. After an injury, one of those holes was depth at outside linebacker, so they re-signed Markus Golden.
Golden, who’s been a journeyman, spent a single season in Pittsburgh in 2023, his ninth in the NFL. A second-round draft pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2015, Golden was the backup to T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith last year. Prior to Golden’s re-signing, it appeared that Nick Herbig, who’s entering his second season, would be the top backup.
Golden has 51 sacks and 11 forced fumbles in his nine seasons in 127 games. The majority of his time was spent during two stints with the Cardinals. This signing of Golden comes on the heels of the Steelers releasing David Perales after he suffered a knee injury. Kyron Johnson also suffered a hamstring injury, which increased the need to boost the depth at edge rusher.
After training camp on Thursday, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the decision to bring Golden back. In a video posted by the Steelers on YouTube, he was asked what it is about Golden that he specifically likes.
“You know, he is just a really solid veteran,” said Tomlin. “He is low maintenance. He’s a pro. He’s good, wise counsel, and was highly productive when called upon. I think he had four sacks for us in limited action. He’s solid against the run. He’s just a pro.”
The Steelers have a history of having outstanding linebackers, especially on the outside. Watt and Highsmith are among the best, if not the best, edge rushing pair in the NFL. Herbig, who had also been impressive, will battle it out against Golden for the third spot. The Steelers struggled with defensive injuries in 2023 and likely did not want to risk being in that situation again.
In 2023, Golden had those four sacks that Tomlin mentioned in a limited amount of action. He also recovered a fumble and had 20 tackles. Golden was a solid contributor to the Steelers’ suffocating defense, and Pittsburgh hopes for more of the same in 2024.
Steelers Linebackers Impressing Teryl Austin
While the Steelers’ outside linebacking corps has been solid the past few years, the inside linebackers are another story. The Black and Gold’s biggest defensive weakness has been that group since Ryan Shazier’s tragic injury in 2017. The Steelers have brought in a string of players to fill his cleats over the years, but injuries have been the Achilles heel of the linebacker room.
With the addition of Patrick Queen during free agency, the inside linebackers are finding their confidence again. After a recent practice, Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin said he sees a noticeable difference in this group from last season. Austin told the media that a big part of being a successful linebacker in the NFL is about temperament. They have to believe that they are tough and have to dish it out even better than they can take it. He called the Steelers in his group “edgy” and “tough,” saying he is definitely encouraging this mindset.
Queen is joining Elandon Roberts, who had a successful season last year. Roberts had 101 tackles, 10 of them for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and six quarterback hits during the 16 games he played in the Steel City. Queen, who was then with the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens, had 133 tackles, nine of them for a loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and an interception.
The goal is to have the defensive identity of a physical, smashmouth group. The Steelers have always valued this in their defenses. It is the heart of the “Steeler Way” that is passed down from generation to generation.
