Aug 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Esezi Otomewo (72) waits outside of the Carolina Panthers huddle during the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allison Lawhon-Imagn Images Allison Lawhon-Imagn Images

Steelers Re-Sign Third Defensive Player Before Free Agency

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI
By Jack Markowski | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 8:54 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers are bringing back a depth piece along their defensive line.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Pittsburgh has re-signed Esezi Otomewo to a one-year deal.

The Steelers are re-signing DL Esezi Otomewo to a one-year deal, per his agents @LIFTSPORTSMNGMT
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2026

Otomewo joins cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. and linebacker Cole Holcomb as one of three defensive players the Steelers have retained thus far.

The team also inked cornerback Jamel Dean to a three-year deal worth $36.75 million on the first day of the legal tampering period.

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Otomewo's First Year With Steelers

A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Minnesota by the Minnesota Vikings, Otomewo spent his rookie year with the franchise before later getting cut ahead of the 2023 campaign.

After spending parts of two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2023 to 2024, playing in four contests over that span, Otomewo signed a one-year contract with the Steelers last March.

He went on to make the team's 53-man roster and appeared in a career-high 12 games. During that stretch, during which he logged 173 defensive snaps and 24 special teams reps, Otomewo posted nine tackles for Pittsburgh.

The 27-year-old also played in the Steelers' Wild Card round loss to the Houston Texans in the playoffs and came away with two tackles.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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