Breaking News: It an amazing move as he challenges a benched Steelers defensive starter.

In his season-ending press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin shared his open comments regarding the team’s future at quarterback and offensive coordinator. However, his response to a query about 2022 third-round pick DeMarvin Leal may have been Tomlin’s most direct statement on January 18.

After starting four games in the first half of the 2023 season, Leal was a healthy scratch in four of the team’s last five. The Steelers also declared him inactive for the team’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.

Tomlin left open the prospect of Leal securing a job in the 2024 season. However, the head coach stated that it will require the defensive lineman to perform significantly better than he has in his first two seasons.

“There certainly is, but he has to be a part of it,” Tomlin told reporters on January 18. “Obviously, we put helmets on guys that we think are best positioned to help us secure victory, and he hadn’t been a component of that, and so he’s got some work to do.”

Leal had 15 combined tackles in 12 games last season, including two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. He also got 1 sack and one pass defense.

Steelers benched DeMarvin Leal after he lost his starting job.

After suffering a knee injury in the middle of the 2022 season, Leal returned in December to play a supporting role at the conclusion of his rookie season.

Leal made his second career start in Week 17 of the season. As a rookie, he made 14 total tackles, including one for loss and three pass defenses.

With veteran Cameron Heyward injuring his groin in the season opener, Leal saw an opportunity to carve out a larger role at the start of his second season. Leal started three consecutive games from weeks two to four.

But he struggled. According to Pro Football Focus player grades, he had below-average run defense and pass rush performances in his three starts.

Leal lost his starting spot when Heywa

In Week 14, the Steelers did not even have Leal dressed. He participated in Week 15, but was inactive for the team’s next four games, including the playoffs.

rd returned in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans game marked the final time Leal played more than nine defensive snaps in 2023.

Pittsburgh’s Defensive Line Depth for 2024

For years, the Steelers have been overly reliant on Heyward along the defensive line. Although 2023 second-round pick Keeanu Benton emerged as a viable starter this season, the Steelers still lacked defensive line depth and were considerably stronger against the run when Heyward was on the field.

Heyward announced on his Not Just Football Podcast on January 18 that he is “not retiring.” But Heyward will be 35 in May. The Steelers need to get more defensive line depth immediately.

That’s especially true given that rotational defensive lineman Montravius Adams is a prospective free agent, and Larry Ogunjobi, who led the Steelers defensive line in snaps in 2023, might be a cap casualty.

With all of this in mind, it would be quite beneficial for Pittsburgh if Leal’s career turned around in 2024.

Tomlin made it sound like Leal would have the opportunity. He’s under contract for two more seasons.

However, it appears that Leal will have to put in some effort to regain Tomlin’s trust.

Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter for Heavy.com who focuses on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Detroit Lions. Holcomb is originally from Pittsburgh and has written about collegiate and professional sports for Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker. More on Dave Holcomb.