While media sights were set on wide receiver, the Pittsburgh Steelers explored a Tuesday trade deadline deal to improve its defensive line depth. Per the PPG\u2019s Gerry Dulac, the team worked the phones to acquire a defensive lineman to replace the injured Daniel Ekuale.<\/p>\n
Unable to make a trade, the Steelers signed Brodric Martin-Rhodes<\/a> off the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 practice squad instead.<\/p>\n Steelers looked to make a trade for a backup veteran DT to replace Daniel Ekuale, but that didn\u2019t work out so they signed DT Brodric Martin-Rhodes to the active roster off the KC practice squad. To make room, they waived OLB\/DE DeMarvin Leal, a former third-round pick.<\/p>\n \u2014 Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) November 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Ekuale tore his ACL in Week 8\u2019s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Serving as the backup nose tackle all summer and throughout the regular season, the Steelers moved rookie Yahya Black to the middle as Keeanu Benton\u2019s backup. But Black hadn\u2019t logged snaps there this season and hampers defensive end depth.<\/p>\n Esezi Otomewo and Logan Lee have played just a handful of snaps this season, though Otomewo logged a season-high nine in last Sunday\u2019s victory over the Indianapolis Colts.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not clear who Pittsburgh may have tried to target. The backup defensive line market wasn\u2019t teeming with options. Rumors buzzed about Tennessee\u2019s T\u2019Vondre Sweat, but the Titans opted to hold onto him as a building block instead of an asset to sell off. The Miami Dolphins also reportedly had a high asking price for veteran Zach Sieler. Taking on a large contract<\/a> for backup help also would\u2019ve been problematic.<\/p>\n With the Steelers striking out on a deal, Martin-Rhodes will attempt to help as rotational depth. A former third-round pick of the Detroit Lions, he\u2019s struggled to find NFL footing and has just five career tackles. The Lions waived him in August and he signed to the Chiefs\u2019 practice squad. But he\u2019s a big body with an intriguing college profile.<\/a> Pittsburgh did its homework on him coming out of the draft, sending DL Coach Karl Dunbar to his Western Kentucky Pro Day in 2023.<\/p>\n Pittsburgh will have its front seven and run defense tested again this weekend. The Los Angeles Chargers lack a standout back like Josh Jacobs or Jonathan Taylor, but featured an old school power running game featuring tight ends and fullbacks. On the season, the Steelers rank 14th in rushing yards allowed, 11th in rushing touchdowns and 15th in rushing yards per carry.<\/p>\n