We have officially entered the dog days of summer, according to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, with Saturday's practice in Latrobe missing a bevy of players due to injuries. The position group hit hardest has been the defensive line, with Dean Lowry being placed on injured reserve, among others that are banged up with more minor ailments. The franchise turned to a familiar face to reinforce their depth in the trenches by inking Breiden Fehoko , who has spent portions of the last two seasons with the club via the practice squad, to a contract.
The 28-year-old fielded calls from several different organizations but jumped at the chance to return to a place that feels like 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. 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."
After being dismantled by the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, the organization went into the offseason with a goal of getting tougher in the trenches. They executed that plan by doubling down along the D-line, selecting both Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black in the NFL Draft. It's safe to say that the rookies have made quite the first impression.
"That rookie is big as shit. I was standing next to Yahya and I told TA, get this guy away from me because I feel like I'm 5-foot-5 standing next to him. It's crazy how big these rookies are now. The rookie Harmon shook my hand today and nearly broke it, so I had to tell him to chill out since we're teammates now… When I watch the tape of Friday Night Lights, these guys are popping pads, so you can tell the emphasis on physicality based on the guys they brought in. I'm excited to work with them and lend a helping hand with whatever they need."
The league's highest-paid defense is entering the fall with sky-high expectations, and rightfully so. When asked about the skills that he can add to the equation in his return, his answer was interesting because of the changes to his body composition.
"Versatility playing all three positions along the defensive line. We just got done with walk-throughs, and I didn't come out, which is good because I need the reps." After slimming down, Fehoko is ready to see how that translates to the field. "We'll find out today. I just talked to Mike T, and he said that you look the part. But I wanted to be ready, not just for football but just for life obstacles that get thrown at you. My fitness journey was a big part of my offseason, and I'm ready to showcase it."
Fehoko stated that he's down nearly 35 pounds to around 290, and it's glaringly obvious just how much leaner he is from the last time that he donned a Steelers uniform. He credited his former teammate in the steel city, Larry Ogunjobi , with being a big influence in terms of getting his body right. For him, the idea is that the modifications that he's made to his physique will help him be more than just a space eater in the A-gap.
"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."
It's been a busy offseason for Steelers general manager Omar Khan, not just adding new faces in the trenches but also acquiring a couple extremely accomplished cornerbacks in Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay . He shared what the potential outlook for this unit could be when they take the field in the regular season.
"There's a lot of star power, that's for sure. When I watch the film of what's been going on during camp, you see the competitiveness. All the guys that they brought in, I have been fans of and have really enjoyed watching them play. Ramsey, Thornhill and even the rookies that they drafted. So, I'm looking forward to being a part of a great room, and wherever the path takes us, I'll be grateful. Right now, I'm soaking up the time with some greats."
Adding a pair of fresh legs at this stage of the calendar year can certainly be beneficial as the Steelers continue to work through some injury issues, all while trying to keep an older guy like Cam Heyward fresh entering the season. Fehoko definitely faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but his familiarity within the scheme and drastic modifications to his body could make things interesting down the stretch here. Now less than a week away from the preseason opener, the depth chart looks more unsettled than previously realized.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : New Steelers DL Sheds Weight In Pursuit of Roster Spot
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