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It has been a difficult couple days for the Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker corps. After watching Sean Spence sign a new contract with the Tennessee Titans, fellow backup and special teams player Terence Garvin has signed a contract with the Washington Redskins.
Garvin posted the following photo on his Twitter account showing the deal in principle with Washington.
— Terence Garvin (@T_Garvin28) March 17, 2016
The Steelers once had one of the best inside linebacker groups in the NFL, mainly due to the massive amount of quality depth they had at the position, but after Free Agency, things have changed. The starting tandem doesn't change with Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier, but those who stand behind them on the depth chart certainly aren't the same.
In 2015, it was Sean Spence and Vince Williams as the primary backups at inside linebacker, but now it is just Williams and a combination of Jordan Zumwalt and L.J. Fort to help solidify the position. Garvin's absence will be felt elsewhere as he was a solid special teams player for the Steelers in his time with the team. The Steelers could have put an offer on Garvin, to keep him in Pittsburgh for at least another year, but they allowed him to test free agency and he had a suitor willing to give him a chance.
Garvin's departure is the fourth for the Steelers to date, and there could be more added to a growing list of faces leaving the Steel City.