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The one move that defined the 2018 NFL season for all 32 teams

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Jon Bostic #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers kneels in the end zone before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 07: Jon Bostic #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers kneels in the end zone before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Heinz Field on October 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Steelers: Signing Jonathan Bostic

The Steelers are known as one of those few organizations in the NFL that view free agency like a casino. It’s nothing but straight gambling and most of the time the house has the edge. However, if a person occasionally pours a calculated amount of money into it, they sometimes might get lucky. This is how Pittsburgh has approached the market for years and it appears that moment of good fortune finally came around.

Nobody thought much of anything when the team signed veteran linebacker Jonathan Bostic. He’d been a journeyman of sorts, playing in Chicago, New England, and then Indianapolis as a former 2nd round pick who hadn’t quite panned out. The Steelers brought him in mostly as competition and depth for their inside linebacker spot with Ryan Shazier still out with his spinal issues. They never expected to get what they’ve gotten from him.

Bostic has 66 tackles, 2.5 sack, and three passes defended on the year. He’s a big part of the Steelers having the 6th best run defense in the league.

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