In an expected roster move, the Pittsburgh Steelers have released defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports. Ogunjobi initially signed with Pittsburgh on a one-year contract in 2022 before inking a three-year, $28.75 million deal.
Unfortunately, Ogunjobi didn't live up to his billing. In his first season in Pittsburgh in 2022, the veteran defensive tackle recorded 1.5 sacks and seven tackles for a loss in 16 games. This was followed by a three-sack season in 17 games last year and a 1.5-sack season in 15 games in 2024.
This past season, not only was Ogunjobi ineffective as an interior pass rusher, but he also got washed out of the play routinely when trying to defend the run. Before his release, Ogunjobi was expected to have a lofty cap number of $10.533 million on the Steelers roster in 2025. Pittsburgh instantly saves $7 million by releasing Ogunjobi.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to put their best foot forward after releasing Larry Ogunjobi
With the going rate of defensive tackles in free agency this year, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't going to get a starting-level player with the $7 million they saved by cutting Ogunjobi loose. DJ Jones inked a massive three-year, $39 million deal to stay in Denver, while the top defensive tackle on the market, Milton Williams, signed with the Patriots for $26 million per season.
The Steelers will likely be forced to resort to a stop-gap option at the position, but it's important that this team puts its best foot forward after moving on from Ogunjobi. Pittsburgh will need to cover its bases before the NFL Draft so as to not pigeonhole itself into selecting an interior defender with the 21st overall pick in the draft.
Outside of Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton, there isn't anyone at the position the Steelers can count on. They should be looking for a stout player who can help defend the run. Perhaps someone who could play nose tackle and allow Benton to move back to a more natural position.