The Pittsburgh Steelers are most of the way through the first part of the offseasonleading up to the draft. Before we get there, we’re going totake stock of how the roster has evolved over the past several weeks. Position by position, we’ll break down who’s coming and going and what’s next for those rookies and those already here.
Position: Defensive End
Total Positional Figure: 6
Offseason Additions: 1
Offseason Deletions: 2
Players Retained:
Cameron Heyward: Heyward is the embodiment of a Steelers 3-4 defensive end, and he will remain so a while longer. He signed a contract extension this offseason, which includes a slight pay boost. While he didn’t put up big sack numbers in 2025, he once again played as an All-Pro level.
Derrick Harmon: Missing the Steelers’ first two games, Derrick Harmon started at defensive end as soon as he was healthy. And he made a difference, with the upside to do so even more in Year 2. Able to play the run as well as rush the passer, he is earmarked as the future. That’s why they used a first-round pick on him, after all.
Esezi Otomewo: Largely an afterthought in free agency last year, Otomewo is a nice little developing defensive end for the Steelers. Though he isn’t guaranteed to make the roster, he should be in the mix. Especially if they don’t draft a defensive lineman high this year.
Logan Lee: A 2024 late-round pick, Logan Lee continues to hang on. Injured his entire rookie season, Lee played defensive end and defensive tackle for the Steelers last season. In terms of body composition, he is better suited for the former, however. Right now, he is Otomewo’s primary competition for a sixth and possibly final defensive line spot on the roster.
Anthony Goodlow: Goodlow spent time on the Steelers’ practice squad last season after the defensive end’s second in-season workout for the team. A former college free agent, he has three career tackles in three games across 36 snaps.
Players Added:
Jahvaree Ritzie: A 2025 college free agent, Ritzie signed a Reserve/Future contract this offseason. The young defensive end spent time on the Patriots’ practice squad as a rookie before signing with the Steelers in January. The North Carolina product has close to prototypical defensive end size.
Players Deleted:
Isaiahh Loudermilk: After five seasons with the Steelers, Loudermilk is finally gone. The veteran defensive end remains unsigned after spending the 2025 season on the Reserve/Injured list. With a new coaching staff, there is not likely to be much interest in a reunion.
Dean Lowry: Like Loudermilk, the veteran defensive end spent all of the 2025 season on the Steelers’ IR. Now 32 years old, it’s quite possible that his career is over, Lowry remaining unsigned. The Steelers have already moved on, signing Sebastian Joseph-Day in free agency.
Notes And Draft Outlook:
For the purposes of this series, I’m classifying Steelers players like Yahya Black and Sebastian Joseph-Day as defensive tackles instead of defensive ends. If the depth looks a little thin here, then, that’s probably why. Instead of talking about them twice in both categories, we’ll do them once, understanding position flexibility is part of their appeal.
Despite the addition of Joseph-Day and retaining Otomewo, the Steelers could remain busy along the defensive line in the draft, particularly at defensive end. Even after extending Heyward for another year, they have to plan for the future. Right now, they don’t have a long-term reserve locked in, either. Even if Joseph-Day does that for a year or two, who is in the pipeline—Logan Lee? Unless Yahya Black plays end on a more full-time basis, but I think he’s ticketed inside sooner than later.
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