{"id":299242,"date":"2026-10-03T19:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T19:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/299242\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T19:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T19:46:25","slug":"steelers-eyeing-former-jaguars-starting-linebacker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/299242\/","title":{"rendered":"Steelers Eyeing Former Jaguars Starting Linebacker"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"780\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2229312998.jpg\" class=\"attachment-featured-image size-featured-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"Chad Mumu Pittsburgh Steelers\"   decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma at their tryouts Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/pittsburgh-steelers\/\" title=\"Pittsburgh Steelers\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504711\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> were dealing with injuries at multiple positions entering this weekend. With that in mind, they hosted eight players for tryouts a day after their Week 4 matchup against the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/cleveland-browns\/\" title=\"Cleveland Browns\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504715\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cleveland Browns<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Arguably the most notable of which was former <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/jacksonville-jaguars\/\" title=\"Jacksonville Jaguars\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504716\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> starting linebacker <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/chad-muma\/\" title=\"Chad Muma\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505129\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chad Muma<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/\" title=\"NFL\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505130\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NFL<\/a> transaction wire, the Steelers hosted Muma and linebacker <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/marte-mapu\/\" title=\"Marte Mapu\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504719\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Marte Mapu<\/a> at their Friday tryouts. Additionally, on defense, defensive back <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/miles-battle\/\" title=\"Miles Battle\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504714\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Miles Battle<\/a> was at the tryout.<\/p>\n<p>On offense, the Steelers worked out centers <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/james-brockermeyer\/\" title=\"James Brockermeyer\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504704\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">James Brockermeyer<\/a> and Gus Hartwig, tackles Andrew Coker and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/tomas-rimac\/\" title=\"Tomas Rimac\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505123\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tomas Rimac<\/a> and running back <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/terrell-jennings\/\" title=\"Terrell Jennings\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504710\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Terrell Jennings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MumaCh00.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Jaguars selected<\/a> Muma in the third round at No. 70 overall of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started seven contests for the Jaguars over three seasons.<\/p>\n<p>Last year, Muma played for the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/indianapolis-colts\/\" title=\"Indianapolis Colts\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505126\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indianapolis Colts<\/a> and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/new-england-patriots\/\" title=\"New England Patriots\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504709\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New England Patriots<\/a>. The linebacker has been a free agent since the Patriots released him at the August roster deadline.<\/p>\n<p>The Steelers will have a few extra days to contemplate signing any of those eight players. The team is on the mini-bye after facing the Browns on Thursday night. Cleveland defeated Pittsburgh 27-24.<\/p>\n<p>Steelers Host LB Chad Muma at Tryouts<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"576\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2229312998.jpg\" alt=\"Chad Mumu Pittsburgh Steelers\" class=\"wp-image-6436509\"  \/>GettyThe Pittsburgh Steelers hosted former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma at their tryouts Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Muma was the fourth inside linebacker off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. Interestingly, Muma was also the second linebacker to land with the Jaguars in that class. Jacksonville picked <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/devin-lloyd\/\" title=\"Devin Lloyd\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504720\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Devin Lloyd<\/a> in the first round of the 2022 draft.<\/p>\n<p>NFL.com\u2019s Lance Zierlein saw Muma as one of the top linebackers in his draft class. However, Zierlein saw issues in Muma\u2019s game that could arise.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA high-cut linebacker, Muma has a nose for the football but his methodology for getting there will need an upgrade to earn NFL playing time,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/prospects\/chad-muma\/32004d55-4d06-9215-fcf3-825af014060d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external nofollow\">wrote Zierlein<\/a>. \u201cHe falls prey to false steps and wasted motion at times. He has a see-ball, get-ball mentality and hunts runners with good build-up speed and an aggressive demeanor. Patience and leverage are below average when fitting up inside runs and flowing to outside runs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Muma earned some starts over his three seasons in Jacksonville. As a rookie, he started twice. He also started twice in 2023 and three games during the 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n<p>But the Jaguars waived Muma before the NFL\u2019s roster deadline in 2025. At the time, head coach Liam Coen and his staff were entering their first season in Jacksonville. The Indianapolis Colts claimed Muma off waivers for their practice squad. The linebacker made five appearances for the Colts, bouncing back and forth from the active roster and practice squad.<\/p>\n<p>The Patriots poached Muma for their active roster in December. Overall, he played 56 defensive snaps and 114 snaps on special teams during the 2025 campaign. He registered nine combined tackles.<\/p>\n<p>Over three seasons with the Jaguars, Muma had 94 combined tackles, including three for loss. In 50 games, he also had 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and three pass defenses.<\/p>\n<p>Steelers Host Eight Players at Tryouts<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"576\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/GettyImages-2155204001.jpg\" alt=\"Marte Mapu Pittsburgh Steelers\" class=\"wp-image-6436575\"  \/>GettyFormer New England Patriots linebacker Marte Mapu tried out for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The Steelers were very busy looking at new potential players Friday. In addition to Muma, they also could be considering the addition of another third-round linebacker in Mapu.<\/p>\n<p>The New England Patriots picked Mapu at No. 76 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. In three seasons with the Patriots, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MapuMa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener external nofollow\">Mapu started<\/a> 10 games, including nine during the 2024 campaign. He had 46 combined tackles with six pass defenses and an interception in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, linebacker is not a position where the Steelers have injuries. <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/patrick-queen\/\" title=\"Patrick Queen\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504705\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Patrick Queen<\/a>, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/payton-wilson\/\" title=\"Payton Wilson\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504713\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Payton Wilson<\/a>, Cole Holcomb and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/carson-bruener\/\" title=\"Carson Bruener\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505122\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Carson Bruener<\/a> are all healthy.<\/p>\n<p>But Queen received criticism on social media for his effort in the loss versus the Browns. Although Muma and Mapu aren\u2019t candidates to replace Queen, perhaps the Steelers want to shake things up in the middle of their defense.<\/p>\n<p>The Steelers could sign any of the offensive linemen from Friday\u2019s tryouts as injury replacements. Rookie guard <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/gennings-dunker\/\" title=\"Gennings Dunker\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504706\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gennings Dunker<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/pittsburgh-steelers\/homer-nichols-dunker-nfl-news-bengals\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">landed on injured reserve a week ago<\/a>, and fellow guard <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/spencer-anderson\/\" title=\"Spencer Anderson\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505125\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Spencer Anderson<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/pittsburgh-steelers\/spencer-anderson-injury-nfl-news-bengals\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">reportedly has a chipped bone in his leg<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>At running back, the Steelers haven\u2019t had <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/rico-dowdle\/\" title=\"Rico Dowdle\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504717\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rico Dowdle<\/a> the past two games. In the defensive backfield, <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/jamel-dean\/\" title=\"Jamel Dean\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504712\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jamel Dean<\/a> was banged up Thursday night, and the team just traded <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nfl\/player\/joey-porter\/\" title=\"Joey Porter\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"504707\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Joey Porter<\/a> Jr. for draft capital to the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/dallas-cowboys\/\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"505124\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dallas Cowboys<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/dmholcomb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dave Holcomb<\/a> is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker.  <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/dmholcomb\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More about Dave Holcomb<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma at their tryouts Friday. The Pittsburgh Steelers&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":299243,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[73,75,74],"class_list":["post-299242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh","tag-pittsburgh-headlines","tag-pittsburgh-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=299242"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299242\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/299243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=299242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=299242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=299242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}