Just-released Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Ade Ogundeji has cleared waivers and is free to sign with any team or re-join the Steelers practice squad.
In his three game appearances, Ogundeji provided depth after the Steelers experienced a plethora of injuries to the outside linebacker position. He recorded only a pass defense on a batted ball against the Las Vegas Raiders in his limited snaps.
“I’m just gonna go out there and play hard,” Ogundeji said earlier this month. “I’ve played in the league. I have some experience. I’ve started in the league. I know what to understand. I’m really good in the run game. I’m good trying to get up the field in the pass game and then just understanding and being a smart player. That’s something I’ve always held my hat on.”
A 6-foot-4, 268-pound edge rusher, Ogundeji first joined the Atlanta Falcons as a fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2021. Ogundeji immediately became a regular in Atlanta, starting 11 games in his rookie season in 2021 and 16 games in 2022. Last season, he missed the entire year due to foot and ankle injuries and Ogundeji was released by the Falcons on May 16.
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith drafted Ogundeji out of Notre Dame when he was the head coach in Atlanta, so I’m sure he had an input in bringing him to Pittsburgh.
In 2021, he recorded 33 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two quarterback hits, one pass defended and one forced fumble in 11 games. In 2022, Ogundeji had 42 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one quarterback hit in 16 games.
A native of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Ade Ogundeji is of Nigerian descent. He redshirted his freshman season at Notre Dame in 2016 and played sparingly in 2017 before becoming a regular part of the rotation in 2018. His best collegiate season came in 2020, when he recorded 23 tackles and seven sacks in 12 games.