Steelers Reshuffle Roster: Ogundeji Out, McCutcheon In

Only a few days after upgrading linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji to the active roster, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced his release as they continue to hone their roster in hopes of earning a postseason berth. The squad is making this move as part of its continuous attempts to maximize its chances of success and optimize its lineup.

Ogundeji, who was previously selected in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, briefly played for the Steelers. He was added to the active roster on October 13th after being signed to the practice squad on October 10th. His tenure with the team was brief, though, as he was let go on October 15.

Ogundeji made 31 appearances in his two seasons with the Falcons, mostly as a rotating player on special teams and defense. During his tenure in Atlanta, he recorded 40 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble. Although the Steelers initially viewed his versatility and experience as key complements to their defense, they ultimately decided to take a different approach.

The Reasons Behind Ogundeji’s Release

The Steelers probably considered several issues before deciding to cut Ogundeji. The rise of younger, talented linebackers in the Steelers’ corps may be a major contributing element. Elandon Roberts, Alex Highsmith, and T.J. Watt are among the team’s outstanding linebackers who have been playing well. The coaching staff might have decided that Ogundeji’s skill set wasn’t the best fit for their defensive system since these seasoned guys were heading the defense.

The continuous assessment of roster requirements and pay cap management may be an additional factor to take into account. The Steelers must give priority to roster places for guys who add the most value and effect to their system because their defense is full of talented players.

Extra Roster Actions

The Steelers signed wide receiver Lance McCutcheon to their practice squad and made other roster changes in addition to cutting Ogundeji. A 2022 undrafted free agent, McCutcheon previously played with the Los Angeles Rams, where he showed promise in preseason games. By making this move, the Steelers are demonstrating their dedication to developing their receiving corps and looking into new talent.

Gazing Forward

With a 4-2 record right now, the Steelers are in a strong position to compete for a postseason berth. The club has the talent and coaching to overcome these challenges and have a strong postseason run, even though they have a difficult schedule in the upcoming weeks. The Steelers’ commitment to selecting the best players to meet their objectives is demonstrated by the latest roster changes, which include the arrival of McCutcheon and the departure of Ogundeji.

It’s unclear what Ogundeji’s future in the NFL holds. He might find a spot with a team that needs linebacker depth or get selected by the practice squad of another team. The Steelers, meanwhile, are still concentrating on their next opponents and sustaining their winning streak.

Roster changes are frequent in the NFL’s dynamic environment, and teams like the Steelers must make calculated choices to increase their chances of winning. The Steelers’ latest actions demonstrate their dedication to assembling a strong roster and their will to fulfill their postseason goals.