EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 14: Justin Layne #31 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on September 14, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Steelers have a distraction to handle after Justin Layne was arrested early Friday morning in Northeast Ohio.
The Pittsburgh Steelers let Mike Hilton sign with the Cincinnati Bengals and cut loose Steven Nelson without much fanfare this offseason. That leaves the team thin at defensive back outside of veteran Joe Haden.
The problems only got worse Friday when news of defensive back Justin Layne getting arrested on felony firearm charges in Northeast Ohio.
Steelers have to deal with Justin Layne’s arrest
The ESPN story on the arrest explains that in addition to suspected felony transportation of a firearm, Layne was also speeding and driving with an expired license. Only the firearm charge is a felony.
Layne is 23-years-old and was a third-round pick of the Steelers out of Michigan State in 2019. As always, there should not be a rush to judgment in this situation. The facts need to emerge and Layne deserves the right to explain himself.
This is still frustrating news for the Steelers and their fans. Along with Haden, Layne and Cameron Sutton are the best remaining defensive backs on the roster. Of course, that could change with the upcoming NFL Draft.
Defensive back should be a focus for Pittsburgh even before this Layne news. The team can get young talent at the position for cheap and then reevaluate the roster once Ben Roethlisberger is finally off the books.
Hopefully, Layne’s career is not ruined by this. He is still young and had a lot of promise as a third-round pick.