Former Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Eku Leota is signing with the Arizona Cardinals just one week after he was cut by the New Orleans Saints.
Leota played in three games for the Saints this season. The Steelers let go of Leota during final cut downs in August despite having a standout preseason for the team.
A native of Asheville, North Carolina, Leota was an undrafted free agent in the 2023 NFL Draft. He made the practice squad for the Panthers to start the year before being elevated in November. The 6-foot-3 linebacker can play both inside and outside but had stood out as an edge rusher for the Steelers during the preseason.
Leota played for the Auburn Tigers and Northwestern Wildcats during his college career, and lost most of his final collegiate season with a torn pectoral muscle. He had 7.5 sacks in his first season with the Tigers.
In a crowded room, Leota still flashed and was able to separate himself enough to get noticed by other teams, and now, get a spot on an active gameday roster.
The Steelers, meanwhile, have lots of talent in their outside linebacker room and have four players they are comfortable with right now, which left Leota on the outside looking in.