Former Tar Heel signs with Pittsburgh Steelers

The former UNC standout will head to the AFC after four seasons with Washington.

Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports

On Monday, free agency began in the National Football League, just one month ahead of the draft in Kansas City.

While the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson have dominated the headlines, a former Tar Heel found his new home on Thursday. 

Linebacker Cole Holcomb agreed to a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers after spending four seasons in Washington. According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, the deal is worth $18 million.

Holcomb emerged as a starting linebacker for the Commanders in 2022 before missing 11 games and ending the campaign on injured reserve.

After joining Washington as a fifth round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Holcomb recorded 359 total tackles, five forced fumbles, and 4.5 sacks over 50 games in the NFC East.

The former UNC standout came to Chapel Hill in 2015 as a walk-on before becoming a staple of the Tar Heel defense. Holcomb earned a Second Team All-ACC selection in 2018, as his 105 tackles paced the roster for the third consecutive season.

Holcomb appeared in 49 games at North Carolina, amassing 328 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

As he heads to Pittsburgh, he will join a linebacker core that is headlined by five-time Pro Bowler and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt.

Holcomb joins MJ Stewart as former Tar Heels to find a new home during the free agency cycle. Can he continue his production as he moves from the NFC to the AFC?