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5 hours ago
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an interesting position as the 2025 season inches closer.
The team made some nice additions in free agency and during the 2025 NFL Draft, but it's hard to get excited about the roster when you don't know who will be playing quarterback.
Of course, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields departed in free agency this offseason. Old friend Mason Rudolph was brought back and former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was added in the sixth round of the draft.
The team continues to be linked to veteran Aaron Rodgers, but nothing appears imminent.
Still, this Steelers roster was talented enough to make the playoffs with mediocre quarterback play last season, so there's no reason to think that couldn't happen again with such a strong team.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently identified the best player from each team that could be cut before the 2025 season begins. For the Steelers, Knox identified defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal.
Regarding that potential move, Knox offered the following:
2022 third-round pick DeMarvin Leal has shown flashes for the Steelers, but he's never emerged as a starter and missed most of last season with a neck injury.
After Pittsburgh re-signed Isaiahh Loudermilk and used a first-round pick on Derrick Harmon, it may consider dumping Leal and the final year of his rookie contract. Doing so would save $1.4 million in 2025 cap space.
As Knox mentioned, Leal is a former third-round pick who has just never been a consistent producer in the NFL.
As a rookie in 2022, Leal played a reserve role and collected 14 tackles and one tackle for loss in 11 games. In 2023, Leal started in four games and ended with 15 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack.
Last season, the Steelers were hoping to see Leal take a leap, but instead, the defender was held to just five games after suffering a neck injury. It was a disappointing development for the defender, and the Steelers went on to add competition on the defensive line this offseason.
Isaiahh Loudermilk was re-signed, while Esezi Otomewo and Daniel Ekuale were added in free agency. Then, in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team selected Derrick Harmon in the first round and Yahya Black in the sixth.
It can be assumed that Harmon, Keeanu Benton, and Cameron Heyward will start on the defensive line, with a few depth pieces kept around. If Leal doesn't stand out this summer, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Steelers cut bait and save a little over $1 million in the process.
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