Steelers to release defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, saving $7 million against salary cap
Already $64 million under the salary cap before they traded for wide receiver DK Metcalf, the Pittsburgh Steelers freed up more money by informing veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi on Monday that he will be released.
By cutting Ogunjobi, who was entering the final year of his contract, the Steelers save $7 million against the salary cap. He had a $4 million base salary and was set to receive a $3 million roster bonus Friday.
Ogunjobi, 30, spent three years with the organization and was the Steelers’ nominee in 2024 for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. He signed with the Steelers in 2022 following the abrupt retirement of veteran defensive end Stephon Tuitt.
The Steelers gave Ogunjobi a three-year, $28.75 million contract in free agency. But Ogunjobi had just 1.5 sacks last season when he started 12 games and missed two because of injury. He was part of a defensive line that wilted during the team’s five-game season-ending losing streak.
Ogunjobi spent four seasons with the Cleveland Browns and one with the Cincinnati Bengals before joining the Steelers. He had a career-high seven sacks with the Bengals in 2021.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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