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John Harbaugh and the New York Giants released former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected a defensive lineman in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team also added to the position group through undrafted free agency. But if the Steelers are still in the market for depth along the defensive front, John Harbaugh just made one of the organization’s former draft picks available.
The New York Giants released defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal this week according to the league’s transaction wire. Leal’s release came just a little more than three months after the Giants made the 25-year-old the first signing for the team of the Harbaugh era.
Leal began his career with the Steelers as a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh selected him at No. 84 overall in that class.
All 32 games in which Leal has played in the NFL have come with the Steelers.
Last season, the defensive lineman appeared in four contests. He posted two combined tackles. Leal spent most of the season on the team’s practice squad.
In January, the Steelers released Leal, who the Giants quickly scooped up on a futures deal.
Over four seasons, Leal has registered 35 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss. He has also posted three quarterback hits, four pass defenses and one sack.
He’s started six games in his career, the most recent of which came in 2023. During 2025, Leal played 20 defensive snaps and 10 on special teams.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers and a variety of other NFL teams. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb