The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2025 NFL offseason with plenty of needs to address, including at quarterback and wide receiver. While there have already been plenty of NF rumors regarding the futures of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in Pittsburgh, there’s also more clarity at another position.
While the Steelers are expected to prioritize quarterback and running back early this offseason, getting both positions figured out in NFL free agency, that’s not the case at other spots. A No. 2 receiver will likely come from the 2025 NFL Draft, potentially in the first round, while the defense could be addressed the following round. Adding to the defense might prove even more important because of an expected salary cap casualty.
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Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, shared his belief that the Steelers will be using one of their early picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on a defensive lineman. It’s viewed as even more likely to happen if defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi is cut, which DeFabo believes will happen.
- Larry Ogunjobi stats: 25 solo tackles, 7 QB hits, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks in 15 games
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Ogunjobi, who turns 31 in June, started in 12-of-15 games he appeared in this past season. The veteran defensive tackle was one of the few weaknesses on the Steelers’ defensive line this past year, creating even more incentive for the team to make a change. Cutting Ogunjobi before June 1 would free up $7 million in cap space, leaving just a $3.533 million cap charge.
With plenty of more cost-effective options available both in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, the expectation now seems to be that Ogunjobi has played his last snap for Pittsburgh. Assuming he is released, Pittsburgh could take a defensive tackle within the first two rounds.
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