Steelers training camp buzz: Najee Harris called out, Kenny Pickett’s leap, no Kwon Alexander handouts

Steelers News: Kwon Alexander earning everything with Pittsburgh LBs

Right after the start of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, the club continued its defensive restructuring, specifically at the linebacker position, by adding veteran Kwon Alexander to the fold by signing him to a one-year deal, which the team then officially announced on Sunday.

Alexander spent last season with the New York Jets, playing in all 17 games and starting 12 while accruing 69 total tackles, six tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and one pass defense on the season. The soon-to-be 29-year-old now joins a group that featured a bevy of newcomers in Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb, among others.

Adding a veteran like Alexander indeed could be a big factor in this defense maintaining its level of dominance from a year ago and, perhaps, even taking a step forward too. But it’s already been made clear that the latest signing won’t be gifted a starting job or any snaps at all — he’s going to have to earn it.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that it’s all about competition as they bring in Alexander, who they previously met with in May but didn’t come to a deal with at that time:

"“We’re interested in competition, so we’ll continue to have an eye for that, but it’s not a new discussion. We’ve been in communication with Kwon and his people for the better part of the summer,” Tomlin said. “Sometimes you wanna wait on decision-making in an effort to get quality looks at some of the young people that you’re working with. There’s a myriad reasons why we have certain timing regarding acquisitions or decisions.”"

There’s no question that, if healthy, Alexander can join this group in Pittsburgh and help to improve upon the efforts of guys like Myles Jack, Devin Bush and Robert Spillane, all of whom are now gone from the organization. But it also speaks as to why this club hasn’t finished under .500 since Tomlin took over as head coach too. These spots are earned on the Steelers depth chart, and the same is true for Alexander.

As of now, though, it appears that the competition of bringing in the veteran could elevate everyone in the linebacker room, which is what’s best for Pittsburgh.