The Steelers lost starting inside linebacker Devin Bush to a season-ending knee injury last month, and acquiring Williamson is addresses a need. Robert Spillane has been a playmaker since replacing Bush as a starter, as he showed Sunday with his pick-six against Lamar Jackson.
However, Williamson has far more experience as a proven starter since entering the league with the Tennessee Titans in 2014. Williamson has 543 tackles, 14.5 sacks and four interceptions during his seven-year career, including 56 tackles and an interception this season.
Pittsburgh relies heavily on its linebacker corps in its defensive schemes, which was displayed against Baltimore on Sunday. Even in passing situations, the Steelers often had an extra linebacker on the field with Spillane, T.J. Watt, Vince Williams, Bud Dupree and Alex Highsmith all playing significant roles. Highsmith had an interception, Watt had a sack and five quarterback hits on Jackson, and Dupree forced Jackson to fumble.
"If you are not willing to leave linebackers in the game, they (the Ravens) are going to absolutely gut you running the football," Head Coach Mike Tomlin said after Sunday's game. "That is why we draft linebackers, particularly outside linebackers in round one. They have to be high pedigree guys. They have to be guys that are capable of rushing left tackles and maybe even covering a receiver in the slot. We place a value on that."
Run defense is Williamson's strength, and Tomlin was not happy that the Ravens rushed for 265 yards Sunday. In a season where the Steelers are clearly Super Bowl contenders, they've made a trade deadline deal to help them chase a division title and more.
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November 03, 2020 at 12:21AM
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Around the AFC North: Steelers Trade for Linebacker Avery Williamson - BaltimoreRavens.com
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