Steelers add veteran DL Ogunjobi

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday signed veteran defensive end Larry Ogunjobi to a one-year deal, strengthening a position of need after Stephon Tuitt retired earlier this month.

Ogunjobi, 28, spent last season with the Cincinnati Bengals and had planned to sign a three-year deal with Chicago in March before failing a physical exam and ending the deal.

Ogunjobi injured his right foot in the Bengals’ wildcard win over the Las Vegas Raiders and was lost for the rest of the playoffs. The injury required surgery and the lack of progress during his rehab resulted in a failed physical condition.

The Steelers are counting on Ogunjobi to be ready as they try to shore up a defensive line that ended last in the NFL against the run in 2022. Ogunjobi was productive for Cincinnati last year, posting career highs in sacks (7) and tackles for loss (12).

Pittsburgh hoped Tuitt would return after missing all of 2021 following the death of his younger brother last June linked to a knee injury. The Steelers did little to tackle the defensive line in the offseason, re-signing tackle Montravius ​​Adams and taking Demarvin Leal in the third round of the draft.

Ogunjobi brings depth to the Pittsburgh veteran even as he has a patchy history with the Steelers. Ogunjobi played for Cleveland in 2019, surprising Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph during a scuffle in which Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ripped off Rudolph’s helmet and then swung it at him. Ogunjobi was given a one-match ban for his role in hand-to-hand combat, although a fine was later overturned.

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