More than 38 hours after Joe Schobert’s wife not-so-subtly leaked the news on social media, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced Schobert’s acquisition via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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 that 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.
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 grated Schobert is the second best inside/middle linebacker in the NFL 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 now under the terms of his contract, Schobert is due $9.25 million, 10.75 million and 11.25 million each for the 2022-2024 seasons.
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Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at [email protected] or via Twitter .
