New inside linebacker Cole Holcomb believes he fits in nicely with Steelers tradition
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Cole Holcomb’s memory of his first trip to the former Heinz Field is about as fuzzy as the mullet he proudly wears down to his shoulders.
He hopes to make up for it by creating some lasting ones now that he’s a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 26-year-old inside linebacker was introduced to the media on a zoom call Thursday,about a week after he signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Steelers after four seasons in Washington.
Holcomb played once at the since-renamed Acrisure Stadium in the NFL. It was in December 2020, when Washington handed the Steelers their first loss of the season after an 11-0 start.
His first foray into the North Shore venue, however, is a bit sketchier. All he knows is that, accompanied by an uncle who lived in upstate New York, it was an AFC championship game and that he was “real, real young.”
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“I don’t remember who they were playing,” said Holcomb, whose age indicates it may have been one of the AFC title game losses to New England in the 2000s. “All I can remember is the Terrible Towels going crazy, the fourth quarter. I remember the atmosphere and how crazy it was.”
He also recalled “Renegade” playing over the sound system in the fourth quarter.
“I’ve seen that atmosphere,” Holcomb said. “I love the atmosphere. I love the fan base, the organization. I love the coaching staff.”
Which is why it wasn’t a difficult decision for Holcomb to join the Steelers after an injury-shortened 2022 season with the Commanders. Holcomb played seven games before injuring his foot. He underwent season-ending surgery in December, which wasn’t optimal considering he was heading into free agency for the first time.
Holcomb said his foot has healed, and he is confident he can be on the field when organized team activities begin in May.
“I’ll be ready for whatever they need me to do,” he said. “If they want me to go, I’ll go. Whatever the coaches decide to do, I’m behind it.”
Holcomb is joining a position room that returns just second-year linebacker Mark Robinson. Devin Bush, Myles Jack and Robert Spillane are gone, with the Steelers signing Holcomb and former Miami Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts to take their place.
Until his injury last year, Holcomb played virtually every defensive snap since late in the 2020 season. He wore the green dot communication device and envisions continuing his role as a three-down linebacker.
Holcomb had 142 tackles in 2021 while adding two interceptions — one returned for a touchdown — seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. It is his work in pass coverage that will bear watching.
In recent seasons, Steelers inside linebackers struggled in coverage,one reason for the consistent turnover at the position. Pro Football Focus gave Holcomb a coverage grade in 2021 — his last full season — that ranked No. 28 out of 50 linebackers, and he allowed the ninth-most receiving yards among all linebackers.
He also ranked No. 28 in his partial 2022 season but believes his experience will make him better suited to play in pass coverage with the Steelers.
“I’ve gone against everything, seen everything in terms of being in a mismatch and how to handle those situations,” he said. “I think that’s something I can excel at. It doesn’t have to be necessarily (something) we worry about happening.”
Gleaned from his uncle’s rooting interest in the Steelers, Holcomb is well aware of the team’s history and tradition at linebacker. His father, not so much. Holcomb’s dad grew up rooting for the John Madden-era Raiders.
“I know what they are expecting here,” he said. “I feel like I can fit well. I feel like this is my kind of organization.”
As for current Steelers, Holcomb has met a few because of his relationship to quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who was his college roommate at North Carolina. Although he didn’t seek Trubisky’s counsel before signing with the Steelers, he said being teammates again was on his “bucket list.”
Holcomb is aware that his long locks that flow behind his ears could make him a fan favorite. He offered no plans to shave his trademark mullet.
“It ain’t going anywhere,” he said. “It’s definitely part of the brand, part of what I am. It’s kind of grown on me. I wouldn’t cut it for my wedding, so I don’t plan on cutting it anytime soon.”