Could Robinson play in all three phases of the game in 2025?
Fourth-year linebacker Mark Robinson entered the 2025 offseason on the Steelers roster bubble. Competing against seventh-round rookie Carson Bruener and possibly even veteran Cole Holcomb for a spot on the depth chart, he’d have to differentiate himself from the competition.
In Sunday’s training camp practice, Robinson showed off a new wrinkle to his game: playing fullback.
Per multiple reports from various beat writers at Steelers camp, Robinson saw some reps with the first-team offense Sunday, switching out his yellow defensive jersey for a white No. 93.
That’s a white practice jersey #93. A rarity.
ILB Mark Robinson taking FULLBACK reps in goal line play pic.twitter.com/skrq54Q5AF
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 3, 2025
Per PennLive’s Nick Farabaugh, the Steelers approached Robinson about trying out the new position the day of the practice. The linebacker said he’s open to trying it again.
Robinson’s versatility isn’t completely out of left field. Drafted out of Ole Miss as a linebacker, he only played in one full FBS season at that position, starting his college career as a running back. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry for Southeast Missouri State in 2018.
With the Steelers, Robinson has appeared in 38 career games, logging 45 tackles on defense. He’s seen over three times the reps as a special-teamer, playing 66% of Pittsburgh’s snaps in the third phase of the game in 2024.
While Robinson’s surprise appearance on offense is worth noting, it doesn’t guarantee anything. The Steelers infamously tried center Kendrick Green at fullback in the 2023 offseason, eventually trading him to the Houston Texans later that month.
However, Green would go on to take some regular season snaps at fullback for the Texans in 2024.
The Steelers currently have two players listed at fullback on their offseason roster: Connor Heyward (also listed as a tight end), and undrafted rookie D.J. Thomas-Jones.