PITTSBURGH, PA — November 8, 2025.
Another chapter closes quietly in Pittsburgh — and it’s one that many fans didn’t expect to end this way.
Former third-round pick DeMarvin Leal, once seen as a rising force on the Steelers’ defensive front, has officially cleared waivers after being released by the team Thursday. He is now a free agent, marking a stunning fall from grace for a player once labeled as the “next hybrid star” in the black and gold.
From Breakout Buzz to the Bubble
Leal’s story is one of promise, pain, and persistence.
Drafted out of Texas A&M in 2022, he came into the league as a versatile defensive lineman — strong enough to play inside, athletic enough to rush off the edge. For a while, that versatility looked like his greatest gift.
By the summer of 2024, coaches were openly praising him for finally “turning the corner.” Training camp reports called it his “breakout season in the making.” But football, as always, has a cruel memory.
After a devastating neck injury in 2024 against the Dallas Cowboys, Leal missed nearly the entire season. He underwent surgery but made a full recovery — or so it seemed.
When Alex Highsmith went down earlier this season, Leal was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. The hope? That he’d seize his second chance. The reality? He struggled to find rhythm, impact, or a defined role in Teryl Austin’s defense.
The Numbers Game — and the New Blood
The Steelers’ defensive room is deep, crowded, and unforgiving.
With rookie Jack Sawyer emerging as a legitimate playmaker and new addition Brodric Martin-Rhodes arriving to reinforce the trenches, Leal found himself squeezed out — not by injury this time, but by numbers and momentum.
As one team insider put it bluntly:
“This league doesn’t wait for anyone. You either make the leap… or you get left behind.”
It’s a harsh truth that’s played out repeatedly under Mike Tomlin’s watch — where talent gets chances, but performance keeps you on the field.
For now, Pittsburgh still has one open roster spot. Whether it’s for a veteran addition or a young special-teamer remains unclear. What’s clear is that Leal’s future in black and gold is over — at least for now.
A Once-Promising Talent in Search of a Second Act
Leal’s journey may not be done. Around the league, defensive coaches still remember his explosive college tape and flashes of versatility from his rookie year. He’s only 24 — young enough to reinvent himself in the right system, with the right coach.
Some analysts believe Leal could find a new home in a 4-3 defense, where his skill set fits more naturally. Others wonder if the mental toll of injury and competition has dimmed what was once elite confidence.
Either way, Leal remains a reminder of how fine the line is between potential and production in today’s NFL.
