Report: Pittsburgh Steelers to sign veteran LB Jaylon Smith

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made another roster move, bringing in a veteran on the defensive side of the football. On Tuesday, the NFL Networks’ insider Ian Rapoport revealed that the Steelers are signing former second-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith.

Smith was most recently with the Las Vegas Raiders, who signed him in November after spending the preseason and much of the regular season with the New Orleans Saints. The former Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker would play in one game, with the Raiders recording two total tackles.

Based on the original report, it is unclear whether or not Smith has been signed to the practice squad or Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster. But either way, he gives Pittsburgh some much-needed depth and additional veteran leadership within their linebacker room.

As mentioned above, Smith started his NFL career in Dallas after the Cowboys selected him with the 34th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He would spend the first four years of his career with the Cowboys before seeing his time cut short with the franchise following a contract dispute in his fifth season. That dispute ultimately led to Smith being waived by the Cowboys midway through the year.

Following his release from Dallas, Smith would play for the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants to close out the 2021-2022 season. He would remain with New York for the 2022-2023 season, starting the season on the Giants practice squad before being signed through their 53-man roster to start October.

Over the life of his NFL career, spanning seven seasons, Smith has played in 77 games, starting in 59. He has recorded 626 tackles, 378 solos, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, five recovered fumbles, and two interceptions.

Mason Rudolph expected to start at QB for Steelers vs. Seahawks in Week 17

The Steelers are on track to start backup quarterback Mason Rudolph again for their Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. The head coach provided an update on Tuesday, saying that Rudolph is “scheduled” to start while the team continues to monitor Kenny Pickett for progress.

The Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34-11 on Saturday behind a 290-yard and two-touchdown performance from Rudolph. The backup hadn’t started a game since December of 2021 before he took the reins against the Bengals.

“I felt like we were balanced and we were clicking,” Rudolph said after jumping out to a 24-0 lead at halftime.

His favorite target on Saturday, despite recent drama surrounding the wideout, was George Pickens. He had four catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns. That included an 86-yard score, which was the longest of Pickens’ career.

“People like to question (our commitment) a lot,” Pickens said after the game. “But that just shows you (who we are).”