The Pittsburgh Steelers released veteran linebacker Elandon Roberts on Sunday as part of final roster cuts. The Steelers signed the two-time Super Bowl champion on August 13 in the middle of training camp, and their decision to release him was one of the most shocking cuts on Sunday.
Former Steelers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko blasted his former team’s decision to release the linebacker.
Breiden Fehoko Slams the Steelers for Releasing Elandon Roberts
A few weeks ago, during the Steelers’ preseason game against the New York Jets, Fehoko questioned Mike McCarthy’s decision to play the linebacker in a meaningless game. After the team released Roberts on Sunday, Fehoko slammed the organization’s decision.
“This hasn’t held up well with the locker room,” Fehoko wrote on X. “Considering the logistics of that LB room. I think it’s very disrespectful that a guy with his resume was brought in as a camp body with no intentions to bring him back. Mind-boggling decision when you play Bijan (Robinson in) week 1.”
This hasn’t held up well with the locker room. Considering the logistics of that LB room. I think it’s very disrespectful that a guy with his resume was brought in as a camp body with no intentions to bring him back. Mind boggling decision when you play Bijan week 1. https://t.co/rX6ym5s0OI
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) August 31, 2026
Roberts began his college football career playing for the Morgan State Bears before transferring to the Houston Cougars. The linebacker was selected No. 214 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. During his four-year career with the Patriots, he won two Super Bowl titles before signing with the Miami Dolphins.
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The linebacker spent three seasons in Miami before joining the Steelers in 2023. Roberts became a fan favorite in Pittsburgh, and many were disappointed when the franchise did not re-sign him for the 2025 season.
Instead, Roberts signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, earning a PFN Linebacker Impact score of 71.5 (No. 57 in the NFL).
Two-time Super Bowl champion James Harrison also blasted the Steelers’ decision to release Roberts, leveling a warning to the team ahead of its season-opening game against the Atlanta Falcons and Bijan Robinson.
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“I hope we don’t regret this cause I didn’t see this coming in a million years,” Harrison wrote on X. “You telling me you brought this man in as a camp body??? Cause that’s damn sure not what it sounded like was happening when he got here. We gon find out quick if this was a good decision or not in Week 1 vs Bijan, though.”
Roberts tallied 90 total tackles (42 solo), 1 pass defended, and 1 fumble recovery in 17 games played for the Raiders last season. His stint in Las Vegas coincided with Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, but it was not enough to keep the linebacker from being released.
