After lacking the complete 2024 season, Cole Holcomb isn’t taking something with no consideration heading into the Steelers’ 2025 season. Even figuring out he has no position carved out for him, he’s giving himself each alternative to get into the combination. He has rededicated himself to soccer and his health, and his teammates are noticing.
“Cole, he’s been right here every single day doing work since he’s been injured. Truthfully, he appears extra chiseled and swole than when he acquired damage”, Minkah Fitzpatrick mentioned of Holcomb with a smile, through the Steelers’ web site. He shall hereby be referred to as Swole Hulkcomb shifting ahead.
The Steelers signed Holcomb as their every-down linebacker in 2023. He didn’t even make it by means of half a season, nonetheless, earlier than struggling a extreme knee harm. He spent just about all of 2024 rehabbing. Although he mentioned he felt he might play on the finish of final season, he admitted it could not have been the most effective concept.
For guys like Fitzpatrick to say that Holcomb is trying even higher than he did earlier than his harm is one thing. And he isn’t the one one to have mentioned one thing comparable. Patrick Queen didn’t even get to play with him earlier than his harm, however he seen how nicely he was shifting.
“That’s only a testomony to the kind of dude he’s”, Fitzpatrick mentioned of Holcomb. “It’s actually spectacular, a man that had his tenure within the league up to now, and he’s nonetheless making an attempt to struggle and are available again and play at a excessive stage. It’s a lot respect to him. And actually, it’s an honor working with anyone that’s preventing so arduous to get again on the sector”.
It’s unclear what plan, if any, the Steelers have for Cole Holcomb going into the 2025 season. They’ve Queen now as their every-down linebacker, and wish to see what Payton Wilson can do. Will they rotate Wilson out and in, and if that’s the case, with whom?
The Steelers requested Holcomb to take a pay minimize earlier this offseason to maintain his job, which he accepted. Quite than re-sign Elandon Roberts, they pivoted, signing Malik Harrison. Between Queen, Wilson, Harrison, and Holcomb, they’ve a stacked inside linebacker room.
However will there be a chance for Cole Holcomb to truly play, after every little thing he’s been by means of? Clearly, he desires to play, but when Queen and Wilson are locking it down, why mess with it? At worst, he may be high quality depth, which, given their latest historical past at inside linebacker, wouldn’t be the worst concept.
From a fan perspective, although, you simply wish to see him succeed and make all of it the way in which again. In 2023, Holcomb was taking part in at a excessive stage earlier than his harm and was bettering. However as at all times, the most effective capacity is availability. He has had availability points all through his profession, even earlier than 2023, making it arduous to depend on him. When he’s wholesome and on the sector, although, he can ship.
