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Steelers Third-Round Pick 2022 Fighting to Save His Future in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, August 2025 - For most players, the final year of a rookie contract is a crossroads. For DeMarvin Leal, it feels like a fight for survival—one that cuts deeper than numbers on a stat sheet.

Drafted in the third round of 2022, Leal arrived in Pittsburgh carrying the weight of expectation. Three years later, his journey has been scarred by injuries, inconsistency, and the harsh reality of a stacked defensive line. But while critics whisper about disappointment, Leal’s own voice refuses to bend.

Steelers activate rookie defensive end DeMarvin Leal from injured reserve |  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Standing at his locker after another grinding practice, the 24-year-old defensive lineman didn’t dodge the hard questions. Instead, he delivered a statement that resonated with fire:

“I know my back’s against the wall. I know what people say about me. But I want it clear—I want to stay here. I want to be a Steeler. This city, this team… it means everything. I’ll fight every day to prove I belong in black and gold.”

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Leal’s words carried the weight of desperation and devotion. For him, Pittsburgh isn’t just a stop in his career—it’s home. He spoke about the nights spent in the training room, the battles with frustration, and the lessons learned from veterans who taught him what it means to wear the jersey.

“It’s easy to give up when things don’t go your way. But that’s not who I am. I owe it to my brothers in this locker room, to Coach Tomlin, and to the fans who still believe. I’ll give everything I have until the last snap they let me play.”

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The Steelers’ defensive rotation remains fierce, and Leal knows every rep could tip the scales. Yet in his voice, there was no fear—only the defiance of a player who refuses to let his story end quietly.

As the season unfolds, DeMarvin Leal’s future may still be uncertain. But one thing is no longer in doubt: his heart is anchored in Pittsburgh, and he’s prepared to bleed black and gold until his fight is finished.

Steelers Linked To Saints SuperStar With 5x Pro Bowl & 2x All-Pro in Blockbuster Trade
Pittsburgh, PA — According to a  circulating on X (Twitter), the Pittsburgh Steelers have been “linked” to Alvin Kamara—the New Orleans Saints superstar, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro—as a potential target ahead of the trade deadline. The speculation has heated up as various outlets have also floated Kamara as a logical “fit” should the Steelers look to add a versatile, late-season playmaker on offense. At 30, Kamara is a rare dual-threat RB who excels as both a runner and receiver. He tied the NFL single-game record with six rushing touchdowns (Christmas Day 2020 vs. the Vikings), and he has recently been recognized as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards. Across his career: 5× Pro Bowl, 2× Second-Team All-Pro, and a skill set that meshes with Pittsburgh’s motion/spacing concepts—screens, angle/choice routes, safe check-downs, and short play-action. Tactically, if a move ever materialized, Kamara would immediately put stress on short-to-intermediate coverages, force defenses to roll a safety, and give Pittsburgh intriguing two-back looks alongside Najee Harris on 3rd-and-medium and in the red zone. In this hypothetical scenario, Kamara voices a desire for a fresh challenge after hitting so many personal milestones in New Orleans: “I’ve achieved just about everything with the Saints, and I want a new challenge for myself. What could be better than a team competing directly for a Super Bowl? Just thinking about wearing Black and Gold really excites me.” As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Steelers or the Saints regarding any talks. Still, Kamara’s résumé and toolbox explain why his name is quickly paired with Pittsburgh whenever rumors of an offensive upgrade surface. With 5× Pro Bowls, 2× All-Pro honors, and a proven knack for tilting games as both a runner and receiver, even a whisper on social media is enough to make Steelers Nation perk up.