Steelers tasked with fitting 3 inside linebackers on field with addition of Kwon Alexander

Forget about a two dogs-one bone scenario — Mike Tomlin’s terminology for two players competing for one job — taking place at inside linebacker this summer for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Where that ever-expanding position group is concerned, it’s more like three dogs competing for two bones.

The signing of Kwon Alexander to a one-year contract Sunday gives the Steelers three veteran starters at a position where only two can play in the base defense. And just one in certain subpackages.

Alexander joins two free agents the Steelers added in March: Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts. Plus a room that includes a promising second-year linebacker in Mark Robinson.

“We don’t have a preconceived notion about a role,” Tomlin said, referring to Alexander. “We have some very capable guys at the position. We’ll put him in an environment like this and let them sort it out.”

Holcomb carries a three-year contract that totals $18 million, an indication the Steelers envision him as a three-down linebacker, a role he held in Washington. Roberts has a two-year deal worth $7 million, and based on recent history, he typically leaves the field on third down.

So where does that leave Alexander?

He was a situational player for the New York Jets in 2022, starting 12 games and playing in all 17 while logging about 50% of the defensive snaps. In his first four NFL seasons with Tampa Bay, however, he rarely left the field on defense.

“I’m both,” Alexander said. “I can do it all. Well, the majority of it all. Those guys can do it, too. I’ve been watching them out here. They can do it, too. We’re working to be the best linebacker group there is.”

For Tomlin, it’s a nice problem to have considering none of the three primary inside linebackers last year — Devin Bush, Myles Jack and Robert Spillane — were retained.

“I’m really excited about the redevelopment of that positional room,” Tomlin said. “E-Roberts, Cole and now (Alexander), it’s a pretty cool thing. We’ll keep working them and allow those guys to show what they are capable of.”

The Jets were Alexander’s fourth team. He spent his first four seasons in Tampa Bay, then was with San Francisco and New Orleans over a three-year span.

He entered free agency again after a season in which he had 69 tackles — his most since a Pro Bowl season in 2017 — six tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. Alexander visited the Steelers in May, yet he remained unsigned until this weekend.

“Sometimes you want to wait on decision-making to get quality looks at some of the young people you’re working with,” Tomlin said. “There are a myriad of reasons why we have certain timing regarding acquisitions or decisions.”

A history of injuries — Alexander has played a full schedule in just two of his eight seasons — could have been a reason he remained on the market for so long.

Alexander’s take? “I wasn’t rushing it. I was being patient, and it worked out for the best.”

Neither Holcomb nor Roberts voiced displeasure about another veteran linebacker joining the group.

“I’m excited,” Holcomb said. “Kwon is a hell of a player. I think he’s going to bring a lot to that room. It’s great competition.”

Holcomb, though, made it be known where he believes he stands on the depth chart.

“I want to start,” he said. “I want to be an everydown backer, so you do what you gotta do.”

Roberts also was ready to welcome Alexander aboard what Tomlin refers to as a moving train, his parlance for an acquisition after camp has started.

“Competition pushes the room to be better,” Roberts said. “I love competition. I hate to be feeling complacent. Sometimes you might miss something in your own development, so I love to be pushed, and it makes the team better when it’s a competitive practice every day.”

A few hours after the ink dried on Alexander’s contract, he was on the field with his new teammates. Alexander even took part in a few 7-on-7 and team drills near the end of practice. He then spent time running on a side field to improve his conditioning.

“I’m Year 9, so most of the stuff is the same, just different terminology,” Alexander said. “I just have to get back on the field, practice those reps, and I should be straight.”