Steelers Cut Ties with Mammoth Offensive Tackle

The Steelers have released gigantic tackle Obinna Eze after three weeks with the team on its practice squad, the team announced as part of its slew of moves on Tuesday. Pittsburgh signed Eze to help with tackle depth after the injury to Dan Moore Jr., but with him healthy and back, Eze became expendable.

Eze, 25, is in his second professional season. The 6-foot-8, 325-pound native of Lagos, Nigeria, joined the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent coming out of TCU in 2022. He played basketball coming out of Nigeria, which helped his transition to football and tackle, especially with the base of footwork.

Eze spent the entire 2022 season on the Detroit practice squad without being activated for a game. He re-signed with the Lions for the 2023 season but was cut on Aug. 27 at the end of the preseason. Eze did not find a team before singing with the Steelers in October.

Coming out of TCU, Eze did not test well in the pre-draft process. He had slow agility numbers, with a 5.08-second short shuttle and an 8.2-second three-cone drill. He also only posted 18 bench press reps. His overall Relative Athletic Score was a 5.33 out of 10. Before his time at TCU, Eze spent four seasons at Memphis.

The Steelers brought on board linebacker Caleb Johnson and tight end Scotty Washington. Along with Eze, tight end Noah Gindorff was released. This was simply part of Pittsburgh’s swapping of practice squad players to fill it out as they see fit. The Steelers also have one other tackle on their practice squad in former Dolphins and Bears lineman Kellen Diesch, on top of the young duo of Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook on the 53-man roster. Pittsburgh now has three inside linebackers and one tight end while still having three offensive linemen on the practice squad.