Two-and-a-half years after trading up to draft Devin Bush at No. 10 overall, and two months after trading for Joe Schobert and his pricey contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been electing to take both of their starting inside linebackers off the field in obvious passing situations in recent weeks.

Coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Keith Butler explained why the formerly undrafted Robert Spillane has been deployed in dime subpackages in lieu of the high-pedigree Bush and Schobert.

“Spillane has done a good job for us in third-down situations,” Butler said after Tuesday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “A lot of times when we want to run some stunts up front with him, he does a good job of that. He’s got a good feel for the timing of when we want him to blitz and faking blitzing sometimes. He’s been around here as long as any of those guys, so he knows a little bit more about it.

“And some things he’s a little bit better than they are — and there’s some things they’re a little bit better than he is. So we try to fit him in here and there.”

“He’s better than them at some things. They’re better than him at others.” pic.twitter.com/EYiEdkqwCl

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) October 19, 2021

What makes the decision curious to use Spillane in obvious passing situations is Bush was targeted in the 2019 draft because the Steelers coveted an athletic off-ball linebacker who could play sideline-to-sideline and never come off the field.

Similarly, after the organization was proactive in getting Schobert from the Jacksonville Jaguars, it cited Schobert’s ability to excel in coverage.

Tomlin, in part, attributed Spillane’s usage as a way to rotate bodies to keep snap counts down.

“The other guys, it gives them an opportunity to remain fresh,” Tomlin said of Bush and Schobert. “When people are running a platoon of (running) backs at you, for example, it’s good to have some depth and play multiple people to match that. And in recent weeks, and even in upcoming weeks, you should be able to anticipate a platoon of backs. And oftentimes you combat that with a platoon of ‘backers.”

Pro Football Focus grades Spillane as the worst of the Steelers’ three inside linebackers in pass coverage this season. PFF does, however, grade Spillane as a better tackler than Bush or Schobert. Dating to 2020, though, Spillane had a far better coverage grade than Bush or Schobert.

Spillane went undrafted out of Western Michigan in 2018 and played two games on special teams for the Tennessee Titans in 2018. The Steelers signed him to a reserve/future contract that next winter, and he made their practice squad when the 2019 season started. Spillane played eight games on special teams that season and was the No. 3 inside linebacker when the 2020 camp broke. He became a starter when Bush suffered a torn ACL in Week 6.

Spillane infamously was beaten by Cleveland Browns slot receiver Jarvis Landry on a critical third down during last year’s wild-card playoff game, a much-cited moment by fans. But to be fair, even the best coverage inside linebackers are never intended to win matchups against capable NFL wide receivers. However, they can be reasonably asked to stay with running backs and tight ends.

According to PFF, opponents targeting Bush in coverage have completed 16 of 19 passes for 123 yards, a touchdown and a 111.2 passer rating, and they’re 12 for 19 for 144 yards with a 103.8 rating against Schobert.

Against Spillane the past two seasons, opposing quarterbacks are 22 for 35 for 180 yards and an interception of Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson that was returned for a touchdown. That equates to a 63.9 passer rating.

“I mean, he’s a capable guy,” Tomlin said of Spillane. “He’s played a lot in the past. We’re just trying to carve out a role for him to allow him to find some footing and if called upon, he’ll have some in-game experience. We know he’s capable.”

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