The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team proudly built on the strength of the trenches. During the 2023 and 2024 offseasons, the Steelers invested heavily in the offensive line in both free agency and the draft. The defensive line, however, is a question mark for the team ahead of a demanding 2024 campaign. With Pittsburgh's 2024 training camp approaching, there will be a healthy competition to see who proves they should play on the defensive line.
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Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (#97) stands and laughs on the field as the Pittsburgh Steelers practice during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Cameron Heyward hasn't been present for the Steelers' 2024 Organized Team Activities (OTAs) as he seeks a new contract, and Larry Ogunjobi is newly 30 years of age. After a 2023 season that saw defensive depth play a key role in how Pittsburgh's games would be won or lost, finding the right players for the defensive line is vital. During Brian Batko's chat on Monday, the issue of the defensive trenches was brought up regarding who would end up starting for Pittsburgh.
"Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Larry Ogunjobi, and Dean Lowry are likely the locks. DeMarvin Leal, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Mon Adams, Breiden Fehoko, Logan Lee in the mix for the last two or three spots."
While there is no surprise in seeing Heyward and Ogunjobi on the starting list, Keeanu Benton has certainly earned the right to contribute alongside the two NFL veterans. Dean Lowry is also someone who brings extensive professional experience to his game after eight years spent with the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. Outside of those four, though, Batko sees the waters getting a bit murkier.
DeMarvin Leal has an uphill climb ahead of him after a rough two seasons to begin his NFL career. The 2023 campaign was more of a struggle for Leal than anyone anticipated, with healthy scratches defining the season more than anything he did on the field.
Isaiahh Loudermilk is in a similar situation, entering his fourth professional season with the Steelers after a draft day trade in 2021 that supposedly brought Pittsburgh Heyward's successor. After three seasons of underwhelming play, Loudermilk recognizes the urgency ahead of him as he goes into a contract year.
Montravius Adams and Breiden Fehoko are defensive linemen who find themselves on the outside looking in for the Steelers. Adams is an NFL journeyman going into his eighth season on his third team, while Fehoko came to Pittsburgh from the Los Angeles Chargers, but didn't see the field during 2023. With plenty to prove and barely any tread on the tires, Fehoko wants to make an impact to ensure that in 2024, he can contribute on the NFL's most expensive defense.
Logan Lee knows that he may have the hardest time standing out from the group. Lee joined the Steelers as a sixth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft and will be thrown into the fire in order to show that he has what it takes to make an NFL roster. With so many talented, driven defenders all aiming for the same few spots, Pittsburgh's 2024 training camp is heating up well before it has begun.
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Defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko during practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Hoping Heyward Situation Resolves Soon
While it is a boost for the younger players to get reps that would have gone to Heyward, not having one of Pittsburgh's defensive leaders at 2024 OTAs isn't how the Steelers planned on starting out the new season.
Benton is soaking up the opportunities and has stated that Heyward has been in contact despite not being present, but the gap is felt. After a 2023 campaign where Heyward missed extensive time due to injury, not having him there in person during the early stages could be concerning to Pittsburgh's front office.
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Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, during his time with the Tennessee Titans.
The Steelers implemented a brand new offense, including new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith and two quarterbacks who were on different teams in 2023: Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. The best way that Pittsburgh can ensure the offense hits the ground running is to have the defense ready to dominate in every single contest.
The Steelers seem to spend more than any other NFL team on the defensive side and also the least on the offense, which makes it easy to see where the brunt of the pressure is expected to go. If the defensive line is sturdy, and the rest follows suit, there is no reason why Smith's offense can't flourish sooner rather than later.
Who will end up starting on Pittsburgh's 2024 defensive line?
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