Key Takeaways:
– Steelers’ Mike Tomlin challenged DeMarvin Leal, a defensive lineman, to improve his performance in the coming season.
– Despite a disappointing track record, Leal’s promising performance in recent offseason workouts has boosted his confidence.
– Taking to social media, Leal confidently issued a bold message to his skeptics.
– Greater contributions from Leal could boost the Steelers’ defense, with star player Cameron Heyward getting older.
Steelers’ Major Challenge to Leal
Occasional struggles are an inevitable part of every sport, and NFL player DeMarvin Leal found hold of this reality hard. After a sluggish start to his NFL career, Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin tasked the young defensive lineman to step up his game further in his post-season press conference inJanuary.
Leal, a third-round pick at number 84 in the 2022 NFL draft, underwhelmed in his initial two seasons. Posting just 29 tackles alongside 1 sack, 4 pass defenses, 2 quarterback hits, and 3 tackles for loss, his performance did not meet the expected standard. The 23-year-old player’s inconsistent form, which concluded with him sitting out the final four games of the 2023-24 season, had Tomlin implying more hard work is necessary from Leal.
The Rookie’s Injury and Lost Opportunities
Things were not always gloomy for Leal. Despite facing a knee injury during his inaugural season, he bounced back and made his first NFL start by Week 17. A window of opportunity presented itself as well when the team veteran, Cameron Heyward, sustained a groin injury at the 2023 season’s start.
However, from Weeks 2 to 4, Leal struggled, recording sub-par grades in defensive runs and pass rush according to Pro Football Focus. This perhaps influenced Heyward to expedite his recuperation, returning by Week 9. Consequently, Leal found himself on the bench, and by Week 14, he failed to even dress for the games.
A Glimmer of Hope in Offseason Workouts
It’s reasonable to see why fans and critics were losing faith in Leal. However, in classic sportsman spirit, he seems to be gearing up to counter his critics with enhanced focus and performance.
As per Steelers’ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, Leal showcased a commendable performance in the offseason workouts. “Leal looks like he’s in great shape, runs through the ball, and is doing some good things,” Austin stated to the media on June 12.
Alex Kozora, a writer for Steelers Depot, echoed these sentiments, asserting that Leal’s natural ability should translate into aggressive pass rushing. While approaching the training camp, Leal must turn his athletic prowess into effective pass rushing and improve his run defense, which, though better than his pass rush, still needs refinement.
Outlook for 2024
With Heyward turning 35, the Steelers need their new Pro Bowl-level defensive lineman to step up. A consistent contribution from Leal could uplift the team’s defensive line, alongside the promising second-year defensive tackle Keeanu Benton, another Pittsburgh draftee.
With the criticism from his maiden seasons echoing in his mind, Leal turned to social media on June 13 to face his doubters head-on. The simple four-word message read, “Keep counting me out.” This evidently shows his confidence and readiness for the 2024 season. Therefore, despite past underperformances, Leal’s abundant persistence might prove to be his prime asset in the upcoming season.