There is about to be an interesting dynamic in the Steelers locker room

The Pittsburgh Steelers recently signed a player who was suspended for his involvement in the infamous fight with Mason Rudolph. What happens next?

If the name Larry Ogunjobi rings a bell, it’s probably because you’ve heard it called several times while watching the Pittsburgh Steelers over the past five years. As a former third-round pick, Ogunjobi played his first four seasons as member of the Cleveland Browns before signing a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals last offseason.

Ogunjobi is a solid football player. Though he doesn’t offer a lot in terms of brute strength and run-stopping ability, he can knife in the backfield with the best of them to get quick pressure on the quarterback.

I will break down Ogunjobi’s tape and potential role with the Steelers very soon, but I think it’s time we address the elephant in the room.

Larry Ogunjobi wasn’t just another player on a division rival; he has a history with Mason Rudolph. Roughly two-and-a-half years ago, Rudolph and Myles Garrett were involved in a scuffle that would go down in infamy. After tussling in frustration in the closing seconds of the Steelers game versus the Browns, Garrett eventually ripped Rudolph’s helmet off and bashed him over the head with it.

After David DeCastro tackled Garrett to the ground with Maurkice Pouncey throwing punches at the Browns All-Pro defender, it was his teammate, Ogunjobi, who flew in and pushed Rudolph to the ground.

Suspensions were handed out left and right with Garrett obviously receiving the brunt of the punishment. Ultimately, Ogunjobi got a one-game suspension for his involvement in the fight. He and Rudolph clearly had some words exchanged at the time.

This incident needs to be water under the bridge for the Steelers

It’s only a matter of time before someone brings up this incident from the 2020 season and asks Mason Rudolph and Larry Ogunjobi to revisit the event in their heads — something I’m sure both players are dreading.

While I hope that neither player is still harboring bitter feelings, it’s time to let bygones be bygones. Let’s just address the situation and get it out of the way. We need to be able to look forward and put the focus back on football, but fans won’t soon forget about this ugly moment in time.

Now that Ogunjobi is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, I’m sure his loyalty will lie with the team, and would love to see him stand up to defend his teammates when he’s on our side.

While I don’t see a ton of reason in keeping Mason Rudolph on the roster for the 2022 season, it has little to do with the Larry Ogunjobi signing and almost everything to do with the fact that he’s going to be a third-string quarterback who could be unhappy in his role. For his own sake, the Steelers should give him a chance to salvage his career if there’s a trade partner out there somewhere.

If not, then Pittsburgh will just make things work and Rudolph will stick around as a reserve quarterback. Either way, I can’t see this incident that happened over two years ago causing bad blood in the Steelers locker room. Rudolph and Ogunjobi will make amends and everything will be just fine.