Steelers make it official, trade 6th-round pick to Jaguars for ILB Joe Schobert

The Pittsburgh Steelers will get their first look at their new inside linebacker Sunday.

Coach Mike Tomlin said Joe Schobert, who didn’t practice Saturday for his new team because of covid protocols, is expected to suit up Sunday when the Steelers conduct a closed practice at Heinz Field.

An inside linebacker who made the Pro Bowl for the 2017 season, Schobert will make $7.3 million this season and figures to start for the Steelers alongside Devin Bush in the middle of the Steelers’ defense.

The Steelers sent a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft to the Jaguars. Although there had been speculation that Jacksonville was going to pick up some of Schobert’s 2021 guaranteed salary, that was not part of the trade announcement. It is, however, possible the Steelers will re-structure Schobert’s contract to lessen the 2021 cap hit — particularly if space needs to be cleared for a mega-extension for T.J. Watt.

Before the trade, Robert Spillane was the unquestioned starter at “Buck” inside linebacker following the surprise retirement announcement of Vince Williams late last month. But the Steelers were thin on experience at inside linebacker, and they have been particularly exposed in coverage at the position.

“It was available and presented itself to us, but it didn’t take long for us to consider it,” Tomlin said about the trade. “We’re highly familiar with his skill set.”

Schobert had at least 100 tackles in each of his past four seasons. He played for the Cleveland Browns before joining the Jaguars in 2020.

“Productivity,” Tomlin said when asked about Schobert’s attributes. “When I think of Joe, he needs no endorsement from me. We’re familiar with him, he’s a former AFC North guy. He’s been highly productive in every circumstance he’s been in. He’s a sideline-to-sideline tackler. He’s good in coverage. He has coverage production in terms of interceptions. He has sack production. He plays a well-rounded game, and we’re excited to infuse him into what we do.”

To make room for Schobert on the roster, the Steelers waived inside linebacker Tegray Scales.

During Thursday’s preseason game at Philadelphia — during which reports of the trade circulated — Spillane and Bush were each beat for pass plays by Eagles tight ends. Schobert comes with a reputation of being one of the league’s best off-ball linebackers in coverage. As recently as 2018, Pro Football Focus graded Schobert is the second-best inside/middle linebacker in pass coverage.

None of Schobert’s contract in future seasons is guaranteed, meaning the Steelers could cut him this spring with no salary cap ramifications. As it stands, Schobert is due $9.25 million, $10.75 million and $11.25 million each for the 2022-2024 seasons.

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