As the Pittsburgh Steelers navigate through their offseason decisions, the future of defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi has been a topic of speculation. With rumors circulating that Ogunjobi may be a potential cut candidate, the Steelers are weighing their options carefully before making any final decisions.
Steelers' Larry Ogunjobi Most Likely Will Be Staying In Pittsburgh According To Mark Kaboly
According to the latest updates by Mark Kaboly, a Steelers' reporter for The Athletic, it appears that Ogunjobi's position may be safer than what was initially expected. This recent insight presents an optimistic outlook for Ogunjobi and his future with the Steelers.
Kaboly joined the Black and Gold Three Rivers Podcast with Ed Troup on Wednesday to discuss the Steelers' 2024 offseason and the biggest news surrounding the team as of now. Kaboly hinted at what he thinks the Steelers will have to do when it comes to making a decision on Ogunjobi’s contract situation.
"There’s a guy like Larry Ogunjobi who's making a ton of money and really hasn’t performed up to that level, but when you look at the depth of that defensive line, you might have to bite the bullet, man. You may have to say, 'I've got to pay him.' When you look at the depth there, it’s just not good, and you probably want to hold onto him as much as you can."
With shifting dynamics in the Steelers' roster and ongoing assessments of player performance, Ogunjobi's role seemed uncertain. Ogunjobi's substantial earnings have raised his expectations for production on the football field significantly. Yet, Kaboly's analysis provides a different perspective, hinting at a potential reversal of fortune for the defensive tackle. This perspective comes from the simple idea that the Steelers lack depth at the position.
"I think he has some sort of bonus kicking in a couple of days after free agency, so they could be able to get somebody then they would probably move on from him then. I really wouldn’t anticipate that but I think they’ll have plenty of money to go and find a couple players they want, you know, on the free agent market.”
According to Kaboly, it has been noted that Ogunjobi has a bonus that will be due a few days after the start of the free agency period. This could mean that the Steelers may choose to part ways with him should they find someone at the defensive tackle position that they would rather have at a more efficient price. However, Kaboly is not confident that this will be the outcome and believes Ogunjobi’s job is safe.
Amidst the flux of NFL offseason moves, Ogunjobi's situation reflects the intricate balance teams face in managing their rosters. Ogunjobi signed a contract to return to the Steelers for three years, worth nearly $29 million in March of 2023. He received a signing bonus of $10.6 million and a guaranteed sum of $12 million, with an average salary of almost $9.6 million per year. In 2024, he will earn a base salary of $5 million and a roster bonus of $4.75 million. This will result in a cap hit of exactly $13,283,333, and a dead cap value of $7,066,668.
Ogunjobi started in all 17 games for the Steelers in the 2023 season. He recorded three sacks, 43 tackles, eight quarterback hits, two pass deflections and one forced fumble. Some have expressed disappointment in Ogunjobi's contributions to the defensive line since being brought to Pittsburgh, but Kaboly still believes the Steelers want to keep him because they need him.
While initial speculations painted a precarious picture for the defensive tackle, Kaboly's insights inject a sense of optimism regarding his future with the Steelers. As the offseason progresses, the unfolding narrative surrounding Ogunjobi underscores the complexities and nuances of roster management in professional football. The Steelers have been very busy this offseason already making cuts and gearing up for free agency. A lot of big decisions are going to be coming in the next couple of weeks according to Kaboly.
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