Should DL Larry Ogunjobi be concerned about his roster spot?
Defensive linemen rake in the money, and at least relatively speaking, Steelers DL Larry Ogunjobi isn’t exactly redefining wealth. There are 29 interior defensive linemen who earn more per season than him, and more will follow. You can include the Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Madubuike among those who will surpass Ogunjobi’s contract next month.
But at nearly $10 million per season, you can fairly question if the Steelers are getting enough return on investment. Ogunjobi recorded just 43 tackles last year with only three for loss, both drop-offs from 2022 when he played less. He improved his sack total from 1.5 to 3, forced a fumble, and batted two passes. But he certainly hasn’t been as impactful as, say, a Stephon Tuitt in the past.
The problem is, the Steelers don’t have anybody to fill his shoes, at least not adequately. He is obviously the second-best defensive tackle on the roster behind Cameron Heyward. DeMarvin Leal is trending the wrong way and Isaiahh Loudermilk has a low ceiling. Armon Watts impressed in spurts, but is he a 700-snap player?
The Steelers can save over $5 million against the 2024 cap after roster displacement if they cut Ogunjobi. But is that worth not having him and almost surely diluting the quality of an already shaky group?
Pittsburgh needs to replenish the defensive line already, with many arguing it should be a first-round priority. They can sign another free agent, but would they be better? Ogunjobi is not a huge difference-maker, but he is generally stout. More than workmanlike, but without quite the amount of impact you want.
He turns 30 this year after spending seven years in the NFL. To his credit, he hasn’t missed much time due to injury. The cap savings are significant but not necessarily plan-altering, and they create a significant hole at the same time. You may have to just throw that money you saved into that hole, so from that perspective, perhaps the more sensible plan is to keep him.
The Steelers’ 2023 season has been put out of its misery, ending as so many have before in recent years: a disappointing, blowout playoff loss. The only change-up lately is when they miss the playoffs altogether. But with the Buffalo Bills stamping them out in the Wild Card Round, they have another long offseason ahead.
The biggest question hanging over the team is the quarterback question. Is Kenny Pickett the guy? Will he get another season’s reprieve without a serious challenge? How will the team address the depth chart? Do they re-sign Mason Rudolph, one of few significant unrestricted free agents?
The Steelers are swirling with more questions this offseason than usual, frankly, though the major free agent list is less substantial than usual. It’s just a matter of…what happens next? Where do they go from here? How do they find the way forward?
