The Steelers have left virtuallyno position on the roster untouched this offseason, and the defensive end group is no exception. Having experienced yet another one-and-done postseason exit, they are trying just about anything to achieve more favorable results. With bold swings via trade, shrewd free-agent signings, and a clear draft priority, the 2026 Steelers are taking shape.
With training camp fast approaching, it’s time to go over the Steelers’ roster to see where we are and how we got here in the first place. This has been an offseason arguably unlike any other for the organization, featuring major turnover. They’ve gone through so much change, it feels necessary at this time to take stock before we move on.
Position: Defensive End
Total Positional Figure: 8
Additions: 3
Deletions: 1
Players Retained:
Cam Heyward: The anchor of the Steelers’ defensive line room for over a decade, Heyward is still near the top of his game. Though he didn’t pile up the sacks last season, the seven-time Pro Bowler proved that he can still affect games.
Derrick Harmon: The Steelers are counting on Harmon to be their next great defensive end. A first-round pick last year, he had an encouraging rookie season, but they need even more from him. Injuries affected his linear progress, but he could make a big jump in Year 2.
Esezi Otomewo: After showing some flash last season, Otomewo will try to sneak back into the Steelers’ defensive line room. But it’s as crowded as ever, and at this rate he is probably outside the bubble.
Logan Lee: Lee is also a part of the Steelers’ logjam at defensive end and may also miss the cut. A 2024 sixth-round pick, he has survived this long, albeit on IR as a rookie. He played sparsely last season, and likely wouldn’t play any more this year if he makes the 53-man roster.
Anthony Goodlow: Goodlow has a modicum of NFL experience, but not much. He spent some time on the Steelers’ practice squad last year, but that’s the only way he figures to return to the defensive end room.
Players Added:
Dean Lowry: The veteran defensive end spent two years with the Steelers, though last year he was on IR. They re-signed him in late May, and he is now in the mix to return to the rotation. But he’ll have to earn his way onto the 53-man roster—even if he has history with Mike McCarthy.
Gabriel Rubio: Nobody seemed to even know Rubio when the Steelers drafted the defensive end. As an unheralded sixth-round pick, he’ll have a tough roster battle ahead. But his college tape—marred by frequent injuries—does offer at least a little intrigue.
Kevin Jobity Jr.: Added after the draft as a college free agent, Jobity is one of two defensive ends the Steelers signed. He is the one who remains, and will join the mix to try to force the team to carry seven defensive linemen.
Players Lost:
Jahvaree Ritzie: A futures signing and a former 2025 college free agent, Ritzie didn’t make it to June. The Steelers waived him to bring back a familiar defensive end, Dean Lowry.
Notes and Camp Outlook:
It did not include some players who will or could play defensive end for the Steelers like Sebastian Joseph-Day, Yahya Black, and Keeanu Benton simply to spare myself from repeating myself when I write about defensive tackles tomorrow, let me make that clear. Joseph-Day especially will be in that rotation, but we’ll discuss it elsewhere.
As for defensive end, the Steelers clearly have their starters in Cam Heyward and Derrick Harmon. What happens behind them, other than Joseph-Day and how much Benton and/or Black might play there, is less clear. There will be at least one other defensive lineman on the roster, possibly two. Will it be Lowry, Lee, Otomewo—perhaps the rookie Rubio?
Other than tracking the progress of Harmon, and where Benton and Black play, that’s really the only question for this position group. Lowry is the sage veteran, and he only missed the 53-man roster last year, presumably, due to injury, so will he be back in the mix at defensive end in 2026? Or will some young gun like Rubio claim a spot for himself?
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