Veteran Defender Leaves Patriots To Join AFC North Team

Daniel Eukale could see the writing on the wall with the New England Patriots.

After the Patriots brought in several new defensive players in free agency, including a couple to bolster the defensive line, Eukale took his talents elsewhere in free agency.

The 31-year-old defensive tackle found his next NFL home Sunday when his agency posted he agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eukale confirmed the news on social media.

Eukale spent the past four seasons with the Patriots and made 16 starts this past season. He turned in a productive 2024 campaign, recording a career-high 52 tackles to go along with one sack. Ekuale played in 68% of New England’s defensive snaps on the season due to Christian Barmore missing most of the year. His highest previous total with the Patriots prior to that came in 2022 when he played 36% of snaps.

But with the Patriots making a massive addition in Milton Williams and also signing Khyiris Tonga, there wasn’t much a need for Ekuale in Mike Vrabel’s new-look defense.

The Steelers will be the fourth time Ekuale has played for in his career. He played one season each for the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars before joining the Patriots.