Steelers Sign Elandon Roberts to One-Year Deal After 90-Tackle Season

Linebacker Elandon Roberts returns to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year contract following a 2025 campaign where he started 16 games.

Linebacker Elandon Roberts signed a one-year contract to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus. The 32-year-old veteran returns to the Steel City following a 2025 campaign with the Las Vegas Raiders where he started 16 of 17 games. During that single season in Nevada, the defender recorded 90 total tackles and 16 run stuffs. This transaction reunites the linebacker with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who held the same role during their shared time in Las Vegas.

Key details

Roberts previously occupied a spot on the Pittsburgh roster during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In his inaugural year with the franchise in 2023, he amassed 101 tackles. His usage changed during the 2024 season when he participated in 44% of the defensive snaps. Despite that reduction in playing time, he managed to produce 46 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble. He now joins a position group that features Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson.

Statistical milestones define his 10-season professional career, which encompasses 157 total games. Roberts has accumulated 694 total tackles and 121 career starts since entering the league. His defensive resume also includes 14.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. The New England Patriots originally selected the linebacker in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent four years in Foxborough before moving to the Miami Dolphins for a three-season stint starting in 2020.

Following his time in Florida, he transitioned to his first two-year period in Pittsburgh. Known for an aggressive, downhill playing style, the veteran is classified as a run-stopping specialist. His 2025 performance with the Raiders saw him emerge as a primary voice for the defense while appearing in nearly every contest. The return to the Steelers marks his third total season with the organization across two separate stints. This signing bolsters the depth of the Pittsburgh defense with a player who has significant experience in the AFC North.

Latest developments

At 32 years of age, the defender brings a decade of NFL experience to the current roster. His familiarity with the defensive system is established by his previous tenure and his history with Graham. Having played for four different NFL franchises—the Patriots, Dolphins, Steelers, and Raiders—he has maintained a consistent presence on the field. He has missed very few games over the last 10 years, demonstrating durability across multiple schemes. This one-year deal ensures his presence in the linebacker rotation for the upcoming 2026 season.

The linebacker's return provides the coaching staff with a proven commodity in the middle of the field. His 16 run stuffs in 2025 ranked among the most productive metrics for interior defenders on the Raiders' roster. By securing his services, the front office adds a veteran who understands the physical requirements of the division. The contract details, confirmed by Rosenhaus, solidify the second level of the defense behind a formidable front line. Roberts will likely compete for snaps in specific packages designed to neutralize opposing rushing attacks.

During his 2024 campaign, the linebacker's efficiency was noted through his five tackles for loss in limited action. That specific season highlighted his ability to impact the game without being a full-time starter. His 101-tackle output in 2023 remains his highest single-season total during his time in Pittsburgh. The 2026 season will test his ability to maintain that production level as he enters his eleventh year in the professional ranks. With 14.5 career sacks, he also offers a secondary blitzing option for the defensive staff.