Larry Ogunjobi is now one team short of the AFC North cycle. The former Browns and Bengals defensive tackle met with the Steelers on Tuesday, and the visit produced an agreement.
The sixth-year veteran agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This addition comes not long after longtime Steelers defensive line starter Stephon Tuitt announced his retirement. The Steelers have since announced the signing.
For Ogunjobi, this represents an end to his lengthy free agency stay. The veteran starter reached an agreement to join the Bears earlier this offseason, but an issue with his physical nixed the deal. Ogunjobi, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in the Bengals’ wild-card win over the Raiders, then spent the next three months looking for another gig.
The Jets also hosted Ogunjobi as well, but the Steelers will make him part of their post-Tuitt equation. Pittsburgh used Chris Wormley extensively in place of Tuitt last season, one the stalwart D-lineman missed all of due to an injury and the mourning of his brother’s recent death. The Steelers struggled to stop the run, ranking last in that department in 2021. They have now added Ogunjobi and third-round D-lineman DeMarvin Leal this offseason, though Tuitt walking away before his 30th birthday could still sting.
This Pittsburgh agreement almost certainly is far off the pact Ogunjobi had in place with Chicago (three years, $40.5MM). On that end, this offseason represents a major blow for the 28-year-old defender. The former Browns third-round pick entered free agency for the first time when the salary cap plummeted due to the pandemic and saw a lingering injury harpoon a lucrative contract a year later. That will make Ogunjobi’s Steelers work pivotal for his future earning potential. There is a real possibility Ogunjobi will never see a better offer than the one the Bears made in March, but the Charlotte alum will benefit from playing opposite perennial Pro Bowler Cam Heyward this season.
Playing on a line featuring Trey Hendrickson last year, Ogunjobi recorded a career-high seven sacks and 16 quarterback hits. Ogunjobi, who spent the first four seasons of his career on primarily Myles Garrett-led lines, registered 5.5 sacks in both the 2018 and ’19 seasons. The Steelers have led the NFL in sacks five years running, and they secured the services of a solid supporting-cast talent for their 2022 iteration.
If he’s healthy—and I assume he is—this is a great signing after Tuitt’s retirement
Bravo Mr. Khan .. excellent first signing
Outstanding addition. I’m in favor of anything that cuts into Wormley’s playing time, but Ogunjobi is good, and now also highly motivated.
Should hopefully limit Wormley to only seeing the field on passing downs where he was sneakily better than average. This could be a great fit in a platoon sense, putting both players in a good position to capitalize on their skills and situational fit
Don’t like him. I think this for sure means they trade Rudolph now
I like the signing in the wake of the the tuitt retirement. Gives them a great replacement for that spot in the defensive line.
Sheldon Rankins just breathed a sigh of relief, but I’m sure my fellow Jets’ fans are not extremely happy about this.
Good move! I bet Mason Rudolph is looking forward to practices now! Lol
On one hand, Ogunjobi has the experience and production to fill in instantly on the line. On the other hand, he is really a 4-3 3 technique type of player who will be playing a 5 in a 3-4 base. He could be productive, we’ll see, but it seems like it could also not be a fit. His experience may be enough to offset the change.
On yet another hand, he has immense familiarity with the opponent in six of the games on the schedule.
it’s almost as if 4-3 DTs are 3-4 DEs…
Not necessarily. Ogunjobi may not be as effective manning the 5 as he was the 3. I don’t really see him as that type of run-stuffing space eater, but again, he has managed to be productive in most of his career, so he may adapt well. I think that he works best inside penetrating against slower interior linemen, but again, I’m obviously no coach.
he’ll still be going against interior linemen
you think they’re going to put a TE on Highsmith?
but i do agree there may be questions about him vs the run , but still a massive upgrade over Wormley who looks soley like a situational 3rd down interior rusher
One thing for sure is he won’t get better practicing against that pathetic offensive line
while that is not certain, one thing that’s for sure is that he didn’t improve under the browns whatsoever , then broke out big time with the Bengals
That “pathetic” offense line was 2-0 against your Browns last year. Go to bed, bozo
It’s a pathetic offensive line. The Browns were 2-0 against the Bengals and the Steelers got killed both games.
remember when the steelers made the playoffs and the browns didn’t?
Remember when the Browns embarrassed the Steelers in the playoffs? Actually everyone embarrasses the Steelers.
that’s why they’ve been to 4 superbowls just in my lifetime , and have more all-time superbowl appearances than the Browns have wins most seasons
My man, the Browns franchise has been a joke for years. Like pathetic.
Must have been yso miserable for you having to deal with that embarrassment.
So, you don’t deserve to be to even be in those conversations to be honest.
Have a few winning seasons, win a playoff game or 2, then you’ll be allowed to share your opinion. Until then, shut uuuup.
It’s great living in the past. I guess you’re still bragging about a girl you went out with 15 years ago? Be ready for some last place finishes in the next 10 years. You and I both know it’s gonna be that way. But hey, you can always watch the Terry Bradshaw reruns
All due respect to all the AFC North fans … I can honestly say , here now in 2022 … the only AFC Norrh team I worry about as a Bengals fan is Baltimore. In the end the North is a 2 horse race for this year.
Maybe for this year but I can’t believe that Brissett will play much worse than Mayfield did last year and Cleveland came with a game on winning the division
Amazing how much smack talk fans of two perennial doormats in Ohio do. One of their teams made the playoffs a couple years ago. The other made it to the Super Bowl last year. As a football fan, I appreciate the talent both teams have But as for their fans, have some success over the long haul before talking smack. You sound like middle schoolers
And as for the “pathetic offensive line” remark, nothing could be as pathetic as last year. They’ve only upgraded there, and most everywhere else. Might behoove you to worry about how many games Watson will be missing instead of the Steelers as a whole
Upgrade? Even you have to admit that the Steelers have the worst talent in the division. You have a very good defensive line and a very good safety. Other than that, you’re way below everyone else except WR’s. That’s counting Watson as the Browns quarterback which may not be this year, although I think it will be eventually
The entirety of the Steelers defense is the best in the division. BAL is a close 2nd with their absurd on-paper (so far) secondary.
I would obviously agree their offense has the least talent in the division, though, again, BAL is a close 2nd.
Say what you will about their QB position but at least our starter wont be a RB or suspended…
CIN is the class of the division this year, hands down.
Browns finished 5th in total defense last year. Steelers were last in run defense so your defense is not the best. It might be the worst. You have 3 pro bowlers but nothing else. Maybe the corner you signed. Linebackers are horrible. The Steelers will have to prove it. Browns have already proved it last year. Cincinnati was very healthy last year and benefitted from a last place schedule. They are going to need to continue their streak of good health. Baltimore and Cleveland were besieged with injuries and covid. Honestly I think Baltimore wins the division. Followed by Cincinnati and Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
You’re missing the point, ‘backer. When they’re in the playoffs and not playing the Steelers, I actually root for division rivals. I wanted to see Cincy win the SB.
I agree about the talent level in this division in general, although I don’t believe it’s the chasm you say it is.
I never thought Mayfield was a bad QB and still question the decision to bring Watson in under these circumstances. With such a roster, sometimes the best deal you make is no deal at all
The key to me regarding Ohio teams is sustaining success. That’s all, and nothing more
The Steelers really surprised me and others here this off season and addressed things that they normally would be too bull-headed to do. They dipped into free agency. They drafted reasonably well in the opening rounds. I do think they’ll be at least a .500 team this coming season, even with a challenging schedule. No, I don’t think they’re a SB contender but I also don’t think they’ll devolve into another Bubby Brister era or be as painful to watch as they were last year
The Steelers needed to upgrade to keep pace. I actually like the Steelers 2nd most in the division. I think Tomlin is the best coach followed by Harbaugh a close 2nd. I agree about Baker but Watson is definitely better and once this is resolved, the Browns will have their quarterback for awhile. I just don’t think Baker could take them farther than just a playoff. He is very inconsistent
Steelers run D was decimated due to injuries on the DL. Hard to stop the run when 2/3 of your starting DL is in the shop ALL YEAR. That has been addressed.
Linebackers are horrible? Watt was the DPOY as I’m sure Miles Garrett is well aware. Highsmith was solid and was still learning. Jack is a massive upgrade over your boy Schobert in the run game. Bush is a full year removed from his ACL so may not suck this year.
Secondary is going to surprise people. Minkah is a stud. Witherspoon was lights out the last third of the year after cracking the starting lineup. Wallace is severely underrated, and Sutton was solid. Edmunds is steady at worst.
You talk about not living in the past, yet only cite last years’ rosters/results when it fits your narrative..,
I don’t consider Watt a linebacker. He’s a DE. Who were the injured starters on the DL? Tuitt, who retired. The numbers are the numbers. Pittsburgh defense was very bad. I don’t think the upgrades will push them up very far. They’ll need to prove it. Just like the OL. And the quarterbacks. Lots of question marks. Every team in the division has them but the Steelers have more
Tuitt did not retire until last month. He’s a 3-4 DE. Alualu got injured game 1 and is their NT. When they shift to sub, Alualu is a DT that spells Cam & Tuitt. So yes, 2/3 of their DL missed the whole year, and was the reason their perennially stout Run D went in the crapper.
You can call Watt whatever you want, but if you’re including 3-4 OLBs as DL then by saying they have a great DL you are saying 5/11ths of their D is great just in one statement.
Every team had injuries. Alualu is average at best. Unless you’re losing Watt or a shutdown corner, injuries are next man up. Like I said before, Pittsburgh will have to prove it on the field. Defense, offensive line and quarterbacks are all question marks. Most people see it that way but you’re a fan and I understand you hoping
You keep dragging the offense into this. I’m not talking about the Steelers young, inexperienced offense. They stunk last year and will hold the team as a whole back this year.
The defense will return to usual form. Yes, injuries are part of the game, and their whole roster lacked depth last year due to being $40M over the cap entering last offseason and having to let guys walk while being unable to sign anyone. Too many holes to fill in one draft. That problem has largely been addressed as well. Doubt all you want though, it really doesn’t matter — just trying to educate a fellow AFC North fan on what to expect from this side of the fence when the teams clash this season.
Prediction: The Steelers defense will outperform the Browns defense this year despite not benefitting from a better, clock-controlling offense.
Just beat the Bengals and I’ll be happy
I smell 2-4 vs the division and I can’t see either win coming against them sadly. Beat a Watson-less Browns once or twice, maybe split with the Ratbirds.
8-9 on the year, no playoffs. Building towards competing in ‘23. Probably fire Canada to do so.
A reasonable prediction, for sure. I said .500 before (which is impossible with 17 games) and then revisited their schedule. Unless everything falls into place, even your prediction may be a little optimistic
I don’t actually see 8 wins on the schedule. More like 6. But they always seem to pull off 2-3 they “shouldn’t” (and then lose an easy one)