BREAKING: Veteran Defensive Tackle Daniel Ekuale Leaves Patriots for Steelers in Free Agency
Daniel Ekuale, a key part-time starter on the New England Patriots’ defensive line for the past four seasons, will not return to Foxboro in 2025. The 31-year-old has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to his agent, Blake Baratz.
Details of the contract remain undisclosed.
Ekuale entered the NFL in 2018 as an undrafted rookie from Washington State, spending his early career with the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars before joining New England in 2021. After starting on the practice squad, he solidified his spot in the defensive tackle rotation by his second season. In 2024, he made all 16 starts, stepping up significantly following Christian Barmore’s health issues, and logged 722 defensive snaps, 52 tackles, and 8 quarterback pressures, including a sack.
Ekuale’s departure marks the third veteran defensive lineman to exit the Patriots this week, following the trades of Davon Godchaux to the New Orleans Saints and Deatrich Wise Jr.’s signing with the Washington Commanders.
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