The Pittsburgh Steelers' newest starting defensive end Larry Ogunjobi has only suited up for teams in the AFC North during his NFL career. He has also already made headlines in a divisional rivalry before.
Larry Ogunjobi shows his excitement as the Browns beat the Bills in 2019 / Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
The Livingston, NJ native played at Charlotte in Conference USA during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He registered the most tackles for loss in the conference in his junior year and finished fourth the following year.
Ogunjobi was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft with the first pick in the third round. He made his NFL debut in a 21-18 Steelers win in Ohio. Anthony Chickillo returned a blocked punt to open the scoring and a pair of touchdown passes by Ben Roethlisberger to tight end Jesse James helped secure the win for the black and gold. The Browns rookie notched four combined tackles in the loss.
Myles Garrett hits Steelers' Mason Rudolph in the head with his helmet. Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images
Clash Between Future Steelers Teammates
Ogunjobi's name made headlines during the 2019 season when Myles Garrett hit Mason Rudolph with his own helmet in a game between the Steelers and Browns. After the Steelers signal caller was sacked on a 3rd and 29, a fight broke out in which Ogunjobi knocked Rudolph into the endzone as tempers boiled with just eight seconds remaining in the game. The then Browns defensive end was suspended and fined $10,000.
The 28-year-old said the incident is water under the bridge with his new teammates and that even Rudolph had reached out to him.
“As men in this sport sometimes we act out of emotion and I was just defending my teammate," Ogunjobi said. "I have no hard feelings and I don’t think he has any.”
Larry Ogunjobi with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021-22 / Credit: NFL.com
Going into his fifth NFL campaign, Ogunjobi signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished third on the team in sacks with seven and tied for first in tackles for loss with 12. He started in 16 regular season games and recovered a fumble in the Bengals' first-round playoff win over the Las Vegas Raiders on their run to the Super Bowl. Ogunjobi suffered a season-ending foot injury in the win which required surgery.
The Athletic reported the Charlotte product would be moving out of the AFC and up to NFC North signing a three-year deal with the Chicago Bears worth $40.8 million, including $26.35 million guaranteed. Due to a failed physical in the Windy City, Ogunjobi remained a free agent until June when the Steelers scooped him up.
“I think it’s just the timing and the opportunity,” Ogunjobi said about joining the Steelers. “I’ve been in this division for six years now, so it’s almost like home. When you’ve been in the division for six years, you get good a feel of the guys.”
Steelers North Carolina College Connections
Ogunjobi and Alex Highsmith represent 66% of the Charlotte 49ers alumni in the NFL with Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis being the only other. Former New York Jets tackle Cameron Clark also hailed from the school but was forced to retire in February due to spinal cord paralysis, according to a report from his agent to ESPN.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity,” Ogunjobi said about playing with Highsmith. “Alex’s dad called me when the Steelers were in the mix and he was super excited. It’s going to be good to talk to each other and feed off each other “
Ogunjobi looks to build on his best season as a pro last year in bringing down the quarterback and tackles for a loss as he joins the black and gold.
What do you think Steelers Nation? How does Ogunjobi's addition strengthen the Steelers' front seven? Where does he finish in sacks on the team?
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