The Pittsburgh Steelers added former New England Patriots linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley ahead of the two team’s Week 3 matchup. But Bentley wasn’t the only former Patriots defender the Steelers considered this past week.
Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders reported Friday the team invited outside linebacker Titus Leo for a workout early in the week.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers tried out yet another former member of the New England Patriots this week, bringing outside linebacker Titus Leo to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday, according to the NFL transactions page,” wrote Saunders.
“Leo, 26, is a 6-foot-3, 245-pound edge rusher that could help the Steelers’ depth after losing starter Alex Highsmith to a high ankle sprain.”
Bentley and Leo play different positions. Therefore, Pittsburgh’s decision this week wasn’t necessarily one or the other.
But after releasing receiver Rakim Jarrett and tight end JJ Galbreath on Tuesday, the team only added Bentley and wideout Isaiah Hodgins.
Steelers Show Interest in Titus Leo, Sign Different Ex-Patriots LB
The Steelers have suddenly showed tremendous interest in former Patriots defenders.
On September 10, the Steelers officially signed safety Jabrill Peppers to a one-year contract. While a former Cleveland Browns draft pick, Peppers played for the Patriots from 2022-24.
During the 2023 season, Peppers lined up for a career-high 955 defensive snaps for New England. He averaged 62 defensive snaps per game last season in six contests.
Bentley and Leo were also each on the Patriots roster in 2024. Bentley dressed for two games while Leo played in four contests.
The Indianapolis Colts selected Leo at No. 211 overall in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The edge rusher spent his rookie season on injured reserve and then began his second NFL campaign on the Colts practice squad. Leo never appeared in a regular season game for Indianapolis.
The Patriots claimed Leo off the Colts practice squad in November 2024. He posted four combined tackles, including one tackle for loss and one pass defense in four contests. Leo played nine defensive snaps and 77 special teams snaps for New England.
This summer, Leo spent parts of training camp with the Browns and Tennessee Titans.
As Saunders mentioned, Alex Highsmith will not play against the Patriots in Week 3. Nick Herbig will likely start opposite T.J. Watt at edge rusher.
The Steelers also have rookie edge rusher Jack Sawyer and signed DeMarvin Leal from their practice squad for additional depth.
Steelers Host Linemen for Workouts on Friday
The Steelers allowed Leo to leave their facility early in the week without a contract. The team could still sign the linebacker, but the Steelers now appear focused on potentially adding offensive line depth.
NFL Trade Rumors’ Jonathan Comeaux reported the Steelers hosted five offensive linemen for workouts two days before facing the Patriots — offensive tackles Karsen Barnhart, Sebastian Gutierrez, Lorenzo Thompson, and Leroy Watson, along with guard Chris Glaser.
Ironically, both Gutierrez and Watson began their first NFL regular seasons on the Patriots practice squad. Their stints didn’t overlap each other, but both were with New England in 2022.
Gutierrez went on to appear in regular season games with the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. Watson played for the Browns in 2023 and then started four games with the Titans last season.
Glaser also has brief experience as an NFL starter in his career. Barnhart and Thompson have never appeared in an NFL regular season game.