The Pittsburgh Steelers have a ton of things to consider when it comes to formulating the roster for the 2025 season. The quarterback situation is going to be a major talking point until it is resolved, but there are many other holes on the team that need to be addressed. The wide receiver position is still a problem, as is depth along the defensive line and at cornerback. Pittsburgh will look to do as much damage as possible to these areas of concern during the 2025 NFL Draft, as the organization currently has eight selections in the event.
The Steelers have already begun making offseason moves, as the organization released outside linebacker Preston Smith. He was the first cap casualty of the offseason, and more are expected to come. Cutting Smith put the Steelers into the top-10 when it comes to cap space for the 2025 season, and more moves in the same vein can only move Pittsburgh higher on the list. Veteran running back Cordarrelle Patterson is a name to watch, as is Larry Ogunjobi.
Ogunjobi has been suspected to be a cap casualty during the 2025 offseason pretty much since he signed his second deal in Pittsburgh. However, team insider Gerry Dulac believes there is a chance the Steelers keep him around. During his weekly chat with fans on Wednesday, Dulac was asked if he believes Ogunjobi will be cut for cap reasons, or if the team will see him as valuable depth along the defensive line.
"Both are possibilities," Dulac wrote.
While the insider was fairly vague in his answer, the Steelers do have plenty of reasons to keep Ogunjobi on the roster in 2025. The veteran defender being cut this offseason seemed like a foregone conclusion just a year ago, and now he may be able to keep his job depending on what the franchise's intentions are during the 2025 offseason.
Ogunjobi has been with the Steelers since the 2022 season. He initially signed a one-year deal worth $8 million in 2022, and he then signed a three-year deal worth $28.75 million ahead of the 2023 season. He is a decent player, but there is no doubt that he is overpaid. The Steelers could look to re-work his deal, or release him to create cap room. However, Pittsburgh doesn't have to do anything with Ogunjobi. The organization is in great standing when it comes to cap space, so releasing Ogunjobi will really come down to how much money the franchise wants to spend in free agency.
A key date in Ogunjobi's contract is March 15th. He is due a $3 million roster bonus if he is still on the roster by that time, so if he is released, it will happen before then. This date is roughly three days after the start of free agency, so the Steelers will have time to see if they can find a quality replacement before deciding on Ogunjobi's future.
Steelers Must Improve The Defensive Line
Ogunjobi didn't have a great season in 2024, but he is still one of the better players along the defensive line. The Steelers need to upgrade their starters, while also finding some valuable depth in order to improve the overall unit. This may lead to Ogunjobi sticking around in Pittsburgh for the 2025 season, although it may be as a backup.
Pittsburgh will be looking at defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL Draft, possibly even in the first round. The organization will do its due diligence in free agency as well. Milton Williams is a name to look for, as he is coming off of a two-sack performance in Super Bowl LIX. Another name that could be a possibility is BJ Hill.
