When the Chicago Bears passed on Larry Ogunjobi after failing his physical, it was going to be looked at as one of the first major decisions that new General Manager Ryan Poles made. When he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a lower salary, it now became something worth following.
Of course, the week-to-week can be fun, but the decision would only truly weigh out at the end of the season. Should the Chicago Bears still have tried to sign Larry Ogunjobi after seeing his medicals?
Grading Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles first offseason: Larry Ogunjobi
First off, it has to be a mark against Ryan Poles that Ogunjobi missed just one game this season. At the same time, Ogunjobi has played just over 600 snaps this season. On the flip side, Justin Jones is well over 700, and closer to 800 snaps. So, the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a full season out of him, but he is not playing anywhere close to full games.
Ogunjobi played 750 snaps in 2020, and 2021. This is his lowest snap total since 2017.
A Chicago Bears beat reporter noted the Pittsburgh Steelers’ run defense improved, but beyond Ogunjobi is Cameron Heyward, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and others across the line. Ogunjobi may have been a part of the Steelers’ revival, and his run-defense grade improved in recent years. Lastly, the Steelers were fortunate to play the NFC South this season.
PFF did grade this best run defense season since 2018, but it was still about an average rating. Ogunjobi was signed to be a pass rusher, but his pressures and sacks are well below season averages season.
So, overall, there are two ways to look at it. At the price the Pittsburgh Steelers paid, it may not have been a bad signing. They had a player who could plug in and give them quality snaps on a limited basis. Still, for what the Chicago Bears initially offered, even the Steelers would have balked.
You can blame Poles for not having a strong enough counter to land Ogunjobi, but the reality is that once Ogunjobi was open to the idea of a cheaper deal, he may have been enticed by the Steelers’ chances to win, and head coach Mike Tomlin’s over the Chicago Bears rebuild and their new coach. If all money is equal, Pittsburgh had the edge, and Chicago should not have raced to win a bidding war.
The next question will be if Pittsburgh re-signs after this season. Still, Ryan Poles wanted someone who could play over 700 snaps, and both Pittsburgh and Chicago agreed that would not happen. Once the money got closer, Poles got into a tougher spot. He is smart not to overpay, and let this one go.
Grading letting Larry Ogunjobi leave: B+