Ekuale spent the last four years with the New England Patriots, following stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. While Ekuale may not be a direct replacement for Ogunjobi, he could provide a similar veteran presence along the Pittsburgh defensive line.
The Steelers released Ogunjobi on March 10 during the legal tampering period, saving $7 million against the salary cap. This move worked out well for Pittsburgh, as Ogunjobi was later suspended six games by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy just days after signing with the Buffalo Bills.
Ekuale started all 16 games for the Patriots last season, recording a career-high 52 combined tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also had three quarterback hits and one sack, contributing across the entire defensive line.
Although Ekuale, who turned 31 in January, doesn’t necessarily help the Steelers’ need for a younger defensive line, he brings valuable experience and versatility at likely a lower cost than Ogunjobi. Last season, Ekuale played 283 snaps at defensive tackle or nose tackle, and 437 snaps at defensive end, primarily lining up at left end. Ogunjobi also moved around the line in a similar fashion.
According to Pro Football Focus, Ekuale had a better season than Ogunjobi in 2024, earning the best player grades of his career over the last two seasons. While the financial terms of Ekuale’s deal with the Steelers have not been disclosed, it’s expected to be more affordable than Ogunjobi’s contract. Ekuale had a $1.68 million cap hit last season, and his previous contract with the Patriots was a two-year, $3.4 million deal.
Pittsburgh’s defensive line depth includes Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Montravius Adams, Dean Lowry, DeMarvin Leal, and Logan Lee, along with defensive linemen Domenique Davis and Jacob Slade under contract. While many mock drafts haven’t projected the Steelers to select a defensive lineman in the first round, it wouldn’t be surprising if they targeted the position early, particularly in the first or third round, following the trade of their second-round pick for wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
