PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A linebacker who at times has played some key snaps and a project safety were the latest Steelers moves before Wednesday's free agency period starts.
Few Steelers fans will forget linebacker Robert Spillane's pick-six as part of a win in Baltimore and Penn Stater Marcus Allen were each given contract tenders as restricted free agents.
The 26-year-old Spillane has started 11 games, mostly due to the season-ending knee injury to Devin Bush in 2020. He took advantage of that playing time to get more opportunities last season. Spillane has 112 career tackles in three years with the Steelers with the interception, six tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. He is also a key special teams player, totaling 400 snaps there the last two seasons.
There is an outside chance Spillane could battle for a starting spot this year depending on the future of LB Joe Schobert.
Allen was a Steelers fifth-round pick in 2018 out of Penn State and they have been transitioning the former safety to a hybrid-linebacker role. The 6'2", 215-pounder has great athleticism and might benefit from his former position coach, Teryl Austin, taking over as defensive coordinator.
In four years, Allen has 45 tackles (26 solo) with two tackles for loss. He only played six percent of the defensive snaps in 2021, but 65% of those on special teams.
Free agency period officially starts Wednesday at 4p when the new NFL calendar year begins.
