Linebacker Robert Spillane has put together an interesting NFL career. Entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018, he didn’t really get a chance to prove himself until he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was with them from 2019 to 2022, most remembered for his massive hit on Derrick Henry. In 2023, he left the Steelers to sign a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. It sounds like Spillane almost stayed in Pittsburgh, though, with Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby helping lure him away.
“I remember, on the phone, ‘Let’s do this shit, come here,'” Crosby said recently on his podcast, The Rush with Maxx Crosby. “It was between us and Pittsburgh. And I was like, ‘Come with us. We’re going to dominate. I’m telling you. You’ll never meet as hard a worker as me. And I’m going to help you, and you’re going to help me. Let’s do this shit.'”
That’s quite the pitch from Crosby. At the time, Spillane hadn’t spent much time as a starter in the NFL. He spent most of his time in Pittsburgh on special teams, only starting 16 games in four years. However, he looked capable in those moments. That seemed to draw some interest from the Raiders.
Despite not being a full-time starter with the Steelers, Crosby recalled Spillane believing there was still a chance he’d stick in Pittsburgh.
“And he’s like, ‘I don’t think [Mike] Tomlin is going to let me go. I don’t think Tomlin is going to let me go.’ But he’s like, ‘Y’all are my next option if that makes sense.’ I’m like, ‘Alright, bet. Just let me know.’ I was like, ‘Text me, call me. Don’t just go silent on me and get weird on me.'”
It makes sense that Tomlin would try to retain Spillane. At that time, inside linebacker was a pretty big weakness for the Steelers. They drafted Devin Bush in the first round in 2019, but he wasn’t panning out. Myles Jack didn’t look like the same player, either. Spillane would’ve had a real chance to start for the Steelers in 2023.
However, Spillane ended up choosing the Raiders, and Crosby remembers how quickly he received a response after that phone call.
“Then he hit me up. I don’t even think it lasted a day, and he had ended up making a decision. He’s coming to us. I was so fired up from day one.”
Spillane was a solid player with the Raiders, starting every game for them over the past two years. He was even named a team captain. Although the Raiders haven’t been very good, that wasn’t Spillane’s fault. He was a consistent presence in the middle of their defense. That’s likely not a deal they regret.
All’s well that ends well, too. The Steelers seem to have figured out the inside linebacker position. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson make a solid duo, and Cole Holcomb could give them a solid boost if he bounces back from his injury.
Just as well, Spillane’s career is continuing to go strong. He just signed a three-year, $37.5 million deal with the New England Patriots. Spillane should continue to start there while also helping the Patriots rebuild their organization. It would’ve been nice if Spillane stayed in Pittsburgh, but both parties are better off today.
