Steelers have gaping hole at backup OLB after Malik Reed signs with Dolphins

Less than seven months after the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired him, Malik Reed has left the organization.

The outside linebacker signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins earlier this week. Terms were not disclosed, but it is expected the deal is for or near the league minimum.

Makin' things official. ???? pic.twitter.com/PwhXyYXRfd

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 20, 2023

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Reed appeared in 14 games for the Steelers this past season, totaling 25 tackles (eight solo, one for loss) and one sack. Picked up in an Aug. 30 trade with the Denver Broncos that involved a swap of late-round draft picks, Reed was brought in to serve as an experienced top backup to the stellar duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Reed started two early-season games in place of an injured Watt but quickly fell out of favor and ended the season as a healthy scratch for the final two games. Counting a third “Sunday inactive” designation, Reed played just 19 snaps over the Steelers’ final five games.

The undersized Reed had started 34 over his three seasons with Denver after arriving as an undrafted free agent. He totaled 16 sacks for the Broncos.

The Steelers are still expected to supplement the outside linebackers position room via what’s left on the free-agent market and/or in the draft next month. Highsmith is entering the final year of his contract, and Watt missed seven games last season. The only other true OLB on the current offseason roster is Quincy Roche, who has played in 17 games over two NFL seasons but had only six defensive snaps for the New York Giants last year.

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