As the Pittsburgh Steelers remain well on track for their first AFC North title since 2020, a former top-10 pick might be on his way to help bolster the defense.
The Steelers worked out veteran linebacker Isaiah Simmons, the 2020 draft’s No. 8 pick, on Wednesday. Simmons, an All-ACC standout at Clemson, spent the preseason with the Green Bay Packers but was cut in August.
Pittsburgh also hosted Michael Barrett, a 2024 seventh-round pick of the Carolina Panthers. Curiously enough, Carolina selected Barrett with a seventh-round pick acquired from Pittsburgh in the March 2024 Diontae Johnson trade.
The Steelers had not officially signed either player as of Thursday morning. However, Pittsburgh did add second-year linebacker Jacoby Windmon to its practice squad. Windmon notched 22 tackles and 1.5 sacks over eight games and two starts for the Panthers in 2024.
Pittsburgh (3-1) hosts the Cleveland Browns (1-4) on Sunday afternoon.
What to Know About Isaiah Simmons
A unanimous All-American at Clemson, Simmons entered the NFL with expectations rarely seen for a defensive player. ESPN’s Mel Kiper even went so far as to call Simmons the “safest” player in the 2020 draft.
“He can really do it all, cover linebackers and tight ends and run sideline to sideline to chase down ball carriers,” Kiper said that April.
Things didn’t quite work out that way for Simmons, who recorded 7.5 sacks, four interceptions, and forced seven fumbles across 50 games (37 starts) in three seasons with the Cardinals. Those are far from the numbers expected from a first-round pick, let alone an immensely talented, versatile linebacker who went in the top 10.
Arizona traded Simmons to the New York Giants ahead of the 2023 season, and he posted 50 tackles, a sack, an interception, and forced a fumble over 17 games and four starts. Simmons primarily came off the bench last season and, unsurprisingly, elected free agency.
Although the 27-year-old Simmons has also played safety in the NFL, it appears he’d likely focus on linebacker if the Steelers signed him.
What’s Next for the Steelers?
Regardless of what happens with Simmons or Barrett, the Steelers enter Week 6 in an excellent position. Not only do the Steelers lead the AFC North, but the 2-3 Cincinnati Bengals are in freefall without star quarterback Joe Burrow, who could miss the rest of the season following toe surgery.
The injury-ravaged Ravens are already 1-4, and superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson is not expected to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Although All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton returned to practice on Wednesday, that likely won’t be enough for the Ravens to salvage what’s quickly become a nightmarish season.
Then, there are the Browns, who have played far more competitively than their 1-4 record might indicate. But, they’re the Browns, and their goal moving forward should be to see whether rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel might be worth building around.
The FanDuel Sportsbook listed Mike Tomlin’s club as 5.5-point favorites (-120, meaning that a $100 bet would net a $183.33 payout) over the Browns as of Thursday morning. Pittsburgh has not started 4-1 since 2016.
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