The Steelers have left nearly no place on the roster untouched this offseason, and the defensive finish group is not any exception. Having skilled one more one-and-done postseason exit, they’re attempting absolutely anything to attain extra favorable outcomes. With daring swings through commerce, shrewd free-agent signings, and a transparent draft precedence, the 2025 Steelers are taking form.
With coaching camp quick approaching, it’s time to go over the Steelers’ roster to see the place we’re and the way we acquired right here. This has been an offseason arguably in contrast to every other for the group, that includes main turnover. They’ve gone by way of a lot change, it feels vital right now to take inventory earlier than we transfer on.
Place: Defensive Finish
Whole Positional Determine: 9
Additions: 3
Deletions: 1
Gamers Retained:
Cameron Heyward: Heyward has outlined the Steelers’ defensive finish group for years. The truth is, he has outlined it a lot that they needed to formally change his place designation to DT. That was for the aim of precisely categorizing him with inside defensive linemen for issues just like the Professional Bowl fairly than with edge gamers. It’s no query what place he actually performs, although. The one query is how rather more fuel he has left within the tank.
DeMarvin Leal: Leal could possibly be on his final legs, going into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract. The Steelers look like attempting him at positions aside from defensive finish, however that doesn’t appear to enhance his possibilities.
Isaiahh Loudermilk: Some questioned why the Steelers bothered re-signing Loudermilk, however he’s a prototypical defensive finish. No less than, he match the outdated prototype—he doesn’t provide a lot of a move rush. However proper now, I would guess that he’s contained in the roster bubble.
Dean Lowry: Signed final 12 months as a veteran, Lowry performed a good quantity within the Steelers’ defensive position rotation. He has lots of competitors this 12 months, although, they usually might save a couple of dollars in the event that they minimize him.
Logan Lee: A sixth-round choose a 12 months in the past, Lee spent his rookie season on the Reserve/Injured Checklist. If he’s to crack the Steelers’ defensive position rotation, he has at the least one factor going for him. On IR, he can’t be blamed for final season’s failings.
Jacob Slade: Essentially the most notable factor about Slade proper now’s that he performed with Derrick Harmon at Michigan State. The primary-year defensive finish spent a while on the Steelers’ apply squad final 12 months.
Gamers Added:
Daniel Ekuale: Ekuale is essentially the most veteran defensive finish the Steelers have after Heyward and Dean Lowry. He backed right into a beginning alternative final 12 months with the Patriots, however that’s not consultant of his physique of labor.
Esezi Otomewo: The opposite veteran defensive lineman the Steelers signed, Otomewo has lengthy odds to really make the 53-man roster. They simply have too many our bodies right here, and guys who provide various things than he does. However he can show that narrative improper as soon as he places the pads on.
Derrick Harmon: After releasing Larry Ogunjobi, the Steelers made it clear they noticed change vital at defensive finish. They hung tight till the draft, and Derrick Harmon fell to them within the first spherical. DL coach Karl Dumbar already let the cat out of the bag that he’s a starter. the remainder of the roster, it’s not arduous to determine why.
Gamers Misplaced:
Larry Ogunjobi: He by no means lived as much as expectations, particularly after the Steelers signed him to a three-year, $28.75 million contract in March 2023 following his first season in Pittsburgh. Not often rather more than serviceable, Ogunjobi signed with the Payments after the Steelers launched him in March. He’ll open the season on the suspended checklist after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug coverage.
Notes and Camp Outlook:
Clearly, the Steelers could have Keeanu Benton play DT in nickel, however that isn’t a real defensive finish. I did embody him in my earlier write-up earlier than the draft, however since then, they appear to have made it fairly clear they intend to go away him inside.
The storyline right here is, clearly, the Steelers’ first-round choose, Derrick Harmon, who ought to begin at defensive finish as a rookie. How prepared will he look when he hits coaching camp? That would decide what number of linemen they wish to hold, to assist insulate him.
The Steelers haven’t any scarcity of defensive ends, as you may see from the checklist. They might hold as much as three reserves, coming from the group of Ekuale, Leal, Lowry, Lee, Loudermilk, and Otomewo. Frankly, I don’t even know who has the sting anymore. As a free-agent signing, Ekuale has essentially the most veteran expertise.
