Converted standout college safety Tanner Muse seeks role as subpackage ILB for Steelers

Three weeks into organized team activities and after dozens of reps next to Tanner Muse in the middle of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense — and linebacking corps — Elandon Roberts was informed that Muse’s background is at safety.

“Kind of crazy,” Roberts said Thursday, “because I didn’t know he played safety until (Wednesday). I was watching him do something, and somebody said he was a safety.

“Safety? For real? He looks like a linebacker. He looks confident at it. I would have never known.”

Muse is not only an (inside) linebacker, he has been taking some first- and second-teams reps at the position during OTAs, Roberts confirmed.

Signed to a contract of just more than $1 million for this season primarily to be a core special teamer, the former standout college safety has proven capable of contributing in the right situation on defense.

“(Special) teams will be my thing,” Muse said, “and I think for defense I just have to prove my worth and be consistently in the right place. And if I can do that and gain their trust, then more defensive opportunities will come.

“We already have solidified guys, and it’s my job just to be ready when my number is called.”

The 6-foot-2, 227-pound Muse was one of three veteran free agents the Steelers signed at inside linebacker as they revamped the position. Gone are Myles Jack, Robert Spillane, Devin Bush and Marcus Allen. In are a pair of veterans with plenty of NFL starting experience — Roberts and Cole Holcomb — plus Muse.

Second-year pro Mark Robinson is also in the mix to play significantly, but in the increasingly specialized NFL world of subpackage defenses, few would be surprised if Muse played during passing situations.

With the caveat that Holcomb has been limited as he recovers from foot surgery, Muse said he has been taking reps at both inside linebacker spots, typically the No. 3 at the position after Roberts and Robinson.

“Just to get the full grasp of the defense and what changes on both sides, the coverage aspects of that,” Muse said. “I’ve been just getting better with time and understanding the philosophy and principles of this defense. It’s a little different to what I’m used to, but I am enjoying it and getting better every day.”

A three-year starting safety who won two national championship rings and was a 2019 third-team All American at Clemson, Muse was a 2020 third-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders. His rookie season was a calamity: twice on the injured reserve list, once on the covid-19 list. Muse was cut the following September, having never played a snap for the Raiders.

But the Seattle Seahawks picked up Muse, and by the end of 2021, he was a regular special-teamer. Beginning in December of that year, Muse appeared in 22 consecutive games for the Seahawks, and that includes starts at inside linebacker in the 2022 regular-season finale and postseason game at the San Francisco 49ers.

Muse played a career-high 68% of Seattle’s defensive snaps in the playoff game.

With his DB background and 4.41 speed in the 40-yard dash, Muse would seem to be a good fit to work in coverage on tight ends and running backs.

“It’s definitely turning into a 7-on-7 game the further it gets along,” Muse said. “Speed is the key. Speed kills, so you have to have guys with speed on the defensive side and a lot of the more hybrid guys. You don’t see these 250, 260-pound bruisers anymore. You see more cover guys, safeties getting put into that position of linebacker.”

Muse had six interceptions over his final two college seasons, and he showed off those skills during an OTA last week with an interception and return.

That play compelled Muse to recall Clemson’s pro day a few years back when he had an interception and return directly in front of a Steelers scouting contingent.

“I thought I was actually gonna (get drafted by the Steelers),” Muse said. “But I am just happy to be here now.”

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