Steelers auditioning veteran LB Nick Kwiatkoski

Another veteran addition is on Pittsburgh’s radar. Nick Kwiatkoski, a Pittsburgh-area native, is at the Steelers’ minicamp for a workout, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic tweets. A seven-year veteran, Kwiatkoski spent last season with the Falcons.

Operating as a backup and a starter during a career spent in Chicago, Las Vegas and Atlanta, Kwiatkoski has played 89 career games and made 34 starts. He played in 12 games with the Falcons last season but did not make any starts. 

The former fourth-round Bears pick last started during the 2020 season, his first on a three-year, $21M Raiders deal. The Raiders released the West Virginia alum in 2022.

The 30-year-old linebacker already auditioned for the Titans this offseason, but Tennessee ended up signing Ben Niemann from that workout. The Steelers released Jack after one year and let Bush walk in free agency, wrapping the former first-rounder’s four-year tenure. 

Jack remains unsigned, while the Seahawks took a flier on Bush. Despite a lower pedigree by comparison, Spillane made out better by signing a two-year, $7M Raiders deal that included just more than $3M guaranteed.

Pittsburgh gave Holcomb a three-year, $18M deal, though that pact includes just less than $5M locked in. Roberts’ contract resembles Spillane’s, with Pittsburgh adding the ex-New England and Miami linebacker for two years and $7M ($2.3M guaranteed). 

Behind those two ‘backers are Tanner Muse and 2022 seventh-round pick Mark Robinson. With the Steelers not drafting an off-ball ‘backer, an opening could exist for Kwiatkoski to join his hometown team.