The New England Patriots have added multiple free agents since the new league year began. But they have also lost a few players. Other than David Andrews and Jonathan Jones, the Patriots also lost a starter along the defensive line.
According to Blake Baratz, President of Team IFA, an athlete agency, former Patriots defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ekuale was an undrafted free agent in 2019 with the Cleveland Browns, where he played just seven games. He went to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he got his first starting action in the NFL and got his first sack.
Ekuale was then waived by the Jaguars at the start of the 2021 season, where he was then picked up by the Patriots. He has been in New England since, and has been a contributor as a rotational defensive lineman.
In the first three years in New England, Ekuale didn't get a single start, but he had four sacks, 22 tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection. While a limited contributor, he saw his role expand in 2024.
In 2024, Ekuale finally got a chance to be a full-time starter. He started 16 and was on the field for 68 percent of the defensive snaps the Patriots played in 2024.
In those snaps, Ekuale had one sack on four pressures and 52 tackles. He wasn't a major contributor for the Patriots as a pass rusher, but he was stout against the run. Milton Williams takes over Ekuale's starts, making the departure sting less for New England.
Ekuale signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in free agency and will be a solid rotational piece for the Steelers' defensive line in 2025.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM.