DT Larry Ogunjobi to visit Steelers

The 28-year-old had a three-year, $40.5M contract in place with the Bears at the onset of free agency. However, days later, a failed physical led to the deal falling through. The injury was suffered in Cincinnati’s Wild Card win over the Raiders, which ended Ogunjobi‘s one-year stint with the Bengals.

The contract he played on – worth $6.2M – was a relative bargain for the eventual AFC champions, considering his production. Ogunjobi totalled 49 tackles and a career-high seven sacks, continuing his consistent statistical output from his time in Cleveland. With the former third-rounder presumed to be on his way to Chicago, the Bengals pivoted to B.J. Hill, signing him to a three-year extension.

Last month, Ogunjobi visited the Jets, a team which, like Cincinnati last year, has made a number of moves this offseason to bolster its defense. That didn’t result in a deal, though, leaving open the possibility for the Charlotte alum to make a second straight move within the AFC North.

Ogunjobi would be a welcomed addition along Pittsburgh’s defensive line. The team lost Stephon Tuitt to retirement this offseason, leaving an opening for a starting-caliber addition. It had been reported recently, on the other hand, that the Steelers were essentially content at the DL and CB positions, planning to spread Tuitt’s workload around to a number of incumbents. Ogunjobi would fill a significant void, and pair well with Cam Heyward along the team’s defensive interior, as it looks to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance against the run in particular.