To the frustration of some fans, the Pittsburgh Steelers are always in "win now" mode. That means they don't have the margin to give young players endless opportunities to establish themselves. If you can't contribute, you won't see the field.
Mike Tomlin has built a legacy operating this way, but it may mean the end of one player's time in Pittsburgh.
DeMarvin Leal may not make it through Steelers training camp
Back in 2022, the Steelers spent a third-round pick on Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal. At the time, Leal was lauded for his ability to move across the defensive front, playing on the interior or the edge.
As it turns out, he hasn't been able to stick at either spot.
Leal has failed to make an impact in his three years with the Steelers. In 28 games, he has just 22 tackles and one sack. Those numbers are abysmal for a player who was expected to be part of Pittsburgh's future up front.
As training camp gets underway, Leal is fighting for his job.
The Steelers have been proactive in adding to their defensive line this offseason, and it has Leal buried on the depth chart. Pittsburgh spent three of its seven draft picks on defensive linemen. They took Derrick Harmon in the first round, Jack Sawyer in the fourth, and Yahya Black in the fifth. While each of these rookies plays a different position, they all keep Leal from getting on the field.
And they could be the reason he gets cut.
While Leal can move around the defensive front, he sees most of his work as a three-technique defensive end. That's the same position that Harmon is set to take over. After spending a first-round pick on a player of Leal's position, the Steelers are clearly prepared to move on from the former Aggie.
Leal's fate isn't sealed quite yet, though. He still has an opportunity to win a roster spot in training camp. Even with his limited production, Leal has shown flashes of the dominant traits that drew the Steelers to him.
If he can turn those flashes into consistent play during training camp, it may be enough to save his job. If not, the Steelers might finally move on.
The hope that Leal could turn into a productive player is starting to die in Pittsburgh. At this point, it's on him to keep it alive.