Sometimes the biggest element to losing a teammate isn't just what they bring to the Xs and Os. Robert Spillane made that evident with his comments Monday when asked about the impact of not having Vince Williams around next season after he was released Mar. 16.
Spillane found his place on the Steelers' defense when he began starting in place of the injured Devin Bush in the 2020 season. That got the Steelers to bring back Spillane as a restricted free agent, a decision they announced Mar. 24. He played next to Williams regularly, including seven starts and 12 games.
"I've been able to talk to Vince," Spillane said. "He's one of the people I've strongly looked up to since day one in Pittsburgh. He's a guy that goes about his business the right way. He plays football the right way. The energy he brings to a defense is infectious. His ability to rally guys together and get them going on the same page is a high-end trait of his."
Williams was the second-most tenured player on the Steelers defense behind Cam Heyward. After being selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Williams started 11 games as a rookie when the Steelers' linebackers were decimated from injuries. After playing as a backup linebacker behind Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons in the next three seasons, he would become a regular starter at linebacker in 2017.
Williams was never a Pro Bowl linebacker in his eight years with the Steelers. But instead he was part of the glue in the middle of the Steelers' defense. Between his contributions as a communicator, tackler and a blitzing linebacker, Williams was part of the defense's rise.
In his first four seasons, Williams and the Steelers' defense only ranked as a top ten scoring defense once. In his last four seasons, they did it three times. Several additions like T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joe Haden were a big part of that, but Williams was in the middle of the defense during all of those transitions.
"We're going to miss Vince," Spillane continued. "But all that means is it's time for myself and Devin to step up and to be leaders on the position groups. I think we're both looking at it as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. We'll be ready when OTAs get our guys going."
Spillane could take a page out of Williams' book. As an undrafted free agent entering his fourth year, he has the chance to take on the underdog mentality and bring the energy to the linebacker group that's vacated by Williams' departure.
But just as important as replacing Williams' energy, is replacing him as a communicator. His eight years in the Steelers' defense made him an asset on the field to help with pre-snap adjustments regardless of who played next to him. Now the defense will be looking to Bush and Spillane working next to each other in that role despite the fact they've never started a game next to each other.
"You know, we haven't played many in-game snaps together," Spillane said of his playing experience with Bush. "But we've been working together for the past two years. I know and understand his style of communication and his play. So I think we feed in well with each other, work well together and been able to do that off the field too. Now it's just going to translate to taking our communication styles and meshing them together to get the best message to the teammates."
That's part of the business. Every year teams expect players to step up in different position groups and adjust team chemistry as personnel swaps happen in the NFL.
"Every year, especially in the NFL, you know the turnover rate is so high," Spillane said. "Not just with players but with coaches for front office organization members. The turnover rate in the NFL is so high so you know when you get back into OTAs you're going to have new foundational pieces every year. It's up to the coaches and players to figure it out. We're going to be missing Bud Dupree, Vince, guys who have done amazing things in this defense for years. Now it's time for guys like me, Alex Highsmith and Cam Sutton to step up. We're going to be expected to make plays last year and be thrust into the spotlight."
In the meantime, Spilane is spending his offseason at home with his family in Oak Park, Ill. Something that's been refreshing for him to spend time cheering on his siblings as they compete in local sports.
"It's special to be around my little brothers and sister. I'm one of five, a big family, and getting time to spend with them as precious memories I cherish. I cherish being able to go to my little brother's football games and being able to see them play. I haven't seen them play in years because I've been in my seasons while they're playing. Being home for that is special. Sleeping on the couch is not ideal, but it's something I have to do right now so it's fine with me. I've slept on the couch for years. It's like being home."