Aug 1, 2017 5 min read

LATROBE – When the Steelers decided not to make a strong pitch to keep Lawrence Timmons in free agency, it opened an opportunity for Vince Williams to move into the starting lineup at inside linebacker.

It also created an opportunity for someone to become the next Williams – a player capable of manning either inside linebacker spot in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense.

Enter fan favorite Tyler Matakevich.

The 2016 seventh-round draft pick out Temple has moved into the role as the Steelers’ top backup linebacker.

He’s not nearly as fast or athletic as Ryan Shazier, who is perhaps the fastest linebacker in the NFL, or as ferocious a hitter as Williams, but what Matakevich does have are great football instincts and a mind for the game.

“Everything,” said Matakevich when asked what his above-the-neck play means to him. “Being the quarterback of the defense, you have to be able to set everybody up and then get yourself ready to go. You can’t really be thinking about what’s going on, you just have to play.”

Matakevich did plenty of that in his days at Temple, where he recorded an astounding 493 tackles in four seasons. His senior season was his best. He had 138 tackles, 4 1/2 sacks and five interceptions.

He won the Bronko Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards, given to college football’s top defensive player. But his lack of size (6-1, 235) and speed (4.81 seconds in the 40-yard dash) were underwhelming on draft day.

All he wanted was a chance to show he belonged.

“I’m going to try to do it as long as I can. It’s what I always wanted to do,” Matakevich said.

Like Williams, who also is lauded by the Steelers’ coaching staff for his heady play, Matakevich showed a knack for being a top special teams player. He made 12 tackles on special teams as a rookie.

Matakevich would like to do more this season, but knows stepping into the role previously filled so well by Williams will have to be enough – at least for now.

Williams has always performed well when called upon. In four seasons, he made 17 starts and has 189 career tackles. His best game came last season while filling in for Shazier in a win over Kansas City when he had a team-high 15 tackles and his first career sack.

“Coach (Tomlin) talks about roles expanding. You’ve just got to be ready,” Matakevich said. “I want to be able to control this defense, set it up, take charge of it. Bullets are flying when you’re out there. It’s definitely nuts. You can’t be hesitant. Vince has been awesome. He helps out. Sha has been so helpful. I’m just continuing to try to get better.”

Shazier and Williams have been so helpful because they know it will only make the team better if Matakevich is up to speed.

It’s the same reason they believe they’ll work so well together, even without Timmons. They have worked hard at developing a chemistry.

“Me and Lawrence had a pretty good relationship, but me and Vince have been really close since I’ve been in the NFL,” Shazier said. “We hang out together. And honestly, we watch a lot of film together. He’s definitely helped me a lot in my growing process in the NFL and I think it’s going to be great with us both out there because we tend to think a lot of the same things. I think he’s really going to be a big help for us as a defense and our communication is going to be a little better than it was last year because both of us like to talk.”

Shazier has missed 14 games in his three-year career, including three last season. Matakevich, who has filled in for Williams at training camp, says he’s ready to step in if called upon.

“The more you can do, the more valuable you are,” Matakevich said. “The more you know, it makes it so much easier. If you know what you’re doing and know what the guy next to you is doing, it makes things so much easier. It lets you just play fast.

“You have to rise to the occasion and just do your job. If you do your job, then everything will work out.”

After having Tuesday off, the Steelers return to practice at Saint Vincent College Wednesday. The 3 p.m. practice is open to the public. … The Steelers will hold their first Family Fest Sunday at Heinz Field. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Steelers.com or at the event. The team will practice and there will be family-friendly events. … The Steelers have announced plans for a Hall of Honor that will induct former players, coaches, and front office personnel who were integral in creating and sustaining the franchise’s success dating back to when the team was founded in 1933. The first class will be announced Tuesday, Aug. 29. Each inductee will receive a replica of a solid steel football, which will replicate the original that was given to Steelers’ founder Art Rooney Sr. by the United States Steel Corporation and United Steel Workers in 1982 on the occasion of the team’s 50th Season. They will be part of a display to be located inside the FedEx Great Hall at Heinz Field.