Last offseason, the Steelers attempted to sign the top inside linebacker in free agency. Dont’a Hightower signed a long-term contract to remain with New England, and the Steelers didn’t sign another inside linebacker or draft one.
That was when the Steelers had a healthy Ryan Shazier as the centerpiece to their defense. His season- and likely career-ending spinal cord injury makes inside linebacker the No. 1 priority for the Steelers this offseason. They not only must find a starter to replace Shazier, but upgrade their depth as well.
The lack of depth at the position is one of the major reasons the defense struggled in the final five games without Shazier, including the humiliating playoff loss to Jacksonville, when the defense gave up 45 points and 164 rushing yards against a Jaguars offensive line that bullied the Steelers front seven.