One day after losing the quarterback who started the most games the last two seasons, the Washington Commanders Mike linebacker is moving on from the team. Cole Holcomb has agreed to a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers pending a physical, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Holcomb underwent season-ending foot surgery in December. He started 48 games during his four seasons with the Commanders. A fifth-round draft pick in 2019, Holcomb evolved from the Will linebacker to Mike. In 2021, he led the team with 142 tackles and added two interceptions, a touchdown, seven passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
Last season he started seven games and racked up 69 tackles before his injury.
The Commanders wanted to re-sign Cole Holcomb, but the two sides were apart on the money, according to ESPN’s John Keim. Considering the various options in free agency this offseason, Washington doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on the position.
Washington agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million with former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton, Monday. Barton, a third-round draft pick in 2019, started a career-high 11 games last season and piled up 136 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass defenses.
Veteran linebacker Myles Jack led the Steelers with 104 tackles last season. Pittsburgh declined the fifth-year option on 2019 first-round draft pick Devin Bush Jr. after four underachieving seasons. Bush is a free agent. Now, the Steelers are turning to Holcomb, a fifth-round draft pick in the same draft class as Bush.
