With NFL roster cutdowns arriving for all 32 NFL teams, tough calls are being made throughout the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers are no different, and general manager Omar Khan made a significant decision ahead of Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, it’s the end of the line for one of the Steelers’ young players. Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal is being cut.
Steelers Reportedly Cutting Defensive Lineman DeMarvin Leal
It’s a sad outcome for Leal, who didn’t get to complete his rookie contract with Pittsburgh. Originally drafted in the third round back in 2022, the former Texas A&M standout simply never cashed in on his potential. In 28 games across the 2022-2024 seasons, he recorded 33 tackles (3 for loss) with 4 passes broken up, 3 quarterback hits and 1 sack. He played 432 defensive snaps in three regular seasons for the Steelers.
During Pittsburgh’s August preseason stretch, Leal recorded 5 solo tackles. He also had a quarterback hit.
Unfortunately for Leal, the writing seemed to be on the wall. That was the case even dating back to the end of the 2023-24 campaign, when he got benched following a knee injury. At the time, head coach Mike Tomlin issued him a challenge to bounce back, which he didn’t do a season ago. Subsequently, Leal was dubbed either a trade candidate or cut candidate leading up to the league-mandated August 26 deadline.
The offseason additions of rookies Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, both intriguing pieces with upside, made Leal expendable. Not even a knee sprain for Harmon or a reported upper-body ailment for Keeanu Benton could keep him on the roster.
Earlier in the spring and summer, Leal got some work at outside linebacker. It was an attempt to diversify his skill set, albeit an unsuccessful one in the grand scheme of things. The 25-year-old will now be subject to waivers after being cut.
Assessing Pittsburgh’s Pass Rush Depth Entering 2025 Season
Fortunately for the Steelers, losing Leal isn’t the end of the world. There’s ample talent in the fold for a team that figures to once again boast a good defense capable of fueling a winning season.
The straw that stirs the drink still is undoubtedly T.J. Watt. The superstar is back on a lucrative multi-year contract extension, which should keep him as the cornerstone piece of the team. He’s complemented by players like Cameron Heyward, who is looking to resolve a contract dispute of his own. Heyward, despite being early in his new-ish deal, wants to rework things and receive a raise.
That isn’t the only set of quality pass rushers Pittsburgh has, either. Benton, when healthy, boasts great underlying metrics. He’s a formidable interior defender. Once he gets back from the knee ailment, Harmon projects to be a nice rusher capable of winning with both power and speed. Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is also coming off a 6-sack campaign and is only a few years removed from a 14.5-sack effort.
Then there are developmental pieces like Black and fourth-round pick Jack Sawyer. Isaiahh Loudermilk is a veteran who must be accounted for, too.
Despite some injuries and the loss of a high-profile name with former prospect status, the Steelers remain in good shape.
