In a series of moves on Monday, the Pitsburgh Steelers released defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko . Fehoko. re-signed with the Steelers on Aug. 1 after a rash of injuries at the defensive tackle position.
Fehoko, 28, spent most of the last two seasons with the Steelers, but had been a free agent since his contract expired in January.
Fehoko, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound native of Honolulu, Hawaii first joined the Steelers as a free agent in 2023. He split that season between the active roster and practice squad. Fehoko was waived coming out of training camp and added to the practice squad, and promoted to the active roster on Sept. 20 after an injury to Cam Heyward . He was active for one game, but did not get any playing time, was waived on Nov. 13 and re-added to the practice squad.
In 2024, Fehoko suffered a pectoral injury during training camp injury and was waived with an injury designation. He cleared waivers and was released with an injury settlement, but returned to the Steelers practice squad on Oct. 22, where he finished the season without appearing in a game.
Before joining the Steelers, Fehoko played three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers , appearing in 19 games and making three starts from 2020-22. He recorded a total of 36 tackles and one tackle for loss
Fehoko is known as a powerful run stuffer and has primarily played nose tackle in his time with the Steelers. In three preseason games in 2023, he had two tackles and batted down a pass.
Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Breiden Fehoko at practice on Aug. 3, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Fehoko calls from several different organizations but jumped at the chance to re-sign wit the Steelers, as he feels at home with a culture that he's long respected.
"I love being here, just the environment and being around the fans again…I'm not shy when talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers in public," Fehoko said. "This place has treated me well; they welcome me with open arms every time. The culture that Coach Tomlin has built here with the front office is great, and it's something that I want to be a part of. It's the only reason that I got up off the couch to play."
Fehoko stated that he's down nearly 35 pounds to around 290.
"When I first got to the Pittsburgh Steelers (in 2023), I was this submarine plugger, and I could barely move side to side. Now, I feel so much leaner. I feel like I could run a 10K, and not figuratively speaking. I'm in the best shape of my life, and I'm ready to feel a need for the Steelers wherever they need me."
Alan Saunders and Derrick Bell contributed reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Cut Ties with Fan Favorite Defensive Lineman
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