The Pittsburgh Steelers have released DL Larry Ogunjobi after a three-year stint with the team, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It’s a move that doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Ogunjobi had an upcoming March roster bonus due, and the expectation was that the Steelers would cut him before paying it.
In three years with Pittsburgh. Ogunjobi appeared in 48 games and made 45 starts. He recorded 132 tackles (15 for a loss) and six sacks, but his production never justified his contracts.
Pittsburgh clears $7 million in salary-cap space with the move.
The first veteran free agent Omar Khan signed after being named Steelers’ general manager in May 2022, Ogunjobi inked a one-year, $8 million ahead of the 2022 season after a long-term deal with the Chicago Bears fell through due to a failed physical. In his first year with Pittsburgh, Ogunjobi started 16 games and recorded 48 tackles to go along with 1.5 sacks.
Pittsburgh extended him on a three-year, $28.75 million deal in March 2023. He continued to serve as a starting left defensive end in the Steelers’ base defense and sub-package rusher, posting three sacks in 2023. But his production and playing time waned in 2024, losing snaps to second-year defensive tackle Keeanu Benton in nickel packages and finishing with just 1.5 sacks and seven quarterback hits across 15 games.
Often battling lower-body injuries, Larry Ogunjobi was usually available but didn’t always appear healthy. His game ran hot and cold with flashes of impressive moments before going quiet for long stretches. His 2024 season got off to a solid start before Ogunjobi cooled off, recording just one QB hit and zero sacks over his final nine games, including the Steelers’ playoff loss. Ogunjobi also missed Weeks 15 and 16 with a groin injury.
Off the field, Ogunjobi was a solid teammate and valuable member of the community. He was Pittsburgh’s 2024 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, though he lost out to Jacksonville Jaguars DL Arik Armstead.
Defensive line is one of the Steelers’ biggest needs and could be addressed within the top two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. This year’s class of interior linemen is regarded as one of the best in recent memory with arguably two dozen names worthy of being selected in the top 100 picks. Owner Art Rooney II admitted the team needs to add “young blood” up front and Pittsburgh figures to place plenty of attention on the class’s top prospects throughout the pre-draft process. Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams, Kentucky’s Deone Walker, and Michigan’s Kenneth Grant are just some of the names Pittsburgh could consider.
Pittsburgh could also find his replacement through free agency with several veteran options to choose from.
