3 interesting things Steelers fans must know about new DT Larry Ogunjobi

Foot issue allowed Steelers to sign Ogunjobi

If you didn’t think Larry Ogunjobi was even an option in free agency, it’s probably because he was nearly off the market months ago. All the way back in March — over a month before the start of the NFL Draft — Ogunjobi had a massive deal in place with the Chicago Bears that would have paid him $40.5 million over three seasons.

However, Bears general manager Ryan Poles voided the deal before it was official. Poles was ultimately scared away by a foot issue that caused Ogunjobi to miss the Bengals final three post-season games and later required surgery.

Chicago’s loss is Pittsburgh’s gain. Though we haven’t seen the contract numbers yet for Ogunjobi, it’s just a one-year deal with the Steelers that is expected to come in pretty low. If he doesn’t play well because of his injury, then at least they don’t have a lot of money invested in him.

If he does play well, however, Pittsburgh can either sign him to an extension or let him walk during the 2023 free agency period and pick up some compensatory draft capital for losing him. Either way, had it not been for the foot injury, the Steelers never would have been in a position to sign Ogunjobi.

There is still a lot we can learn about Larry Ogunjobi and a lot that remains to be seen. My early impressions are that this is a quality signing and that the athletic defensive tackle should have a sizable impact in 2022 — particularly when it comes to getting after the quarterback on passing downs.