Steelers OTAs notes: new DT Daniel Ekuale feels at home already, Beanie Bishop runs into Aaron Rodgers

Before the proverbial ink had dried on the contract he was signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, Daniel Ekuale had already heard from his new position mate and team captain.

“When I first signed the deal here, (Cameron Heyward) was the first one that texted me congratulating me,” said Ekuale, a veteran defensive tackle, “and letting me know, ‘If you need anything out here, just shoot me a text.’ He’s phenomenal.”

Working with a leader the caliber of Heyward isn’t the only way Ekuale has been made to feel at home with the Steelers, his fourth NFL team over a career that began as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Ekuale also feels a kinship to an organization that has a tradition of success among players with the Polynesian roots that he shares. Born and raised in Pago Pago, American Samoa, Ekuale joins Jaylen Warren, Isaac Seumalo and Nate Herbig as those with that in their heritage. Also, of course, one of the greatest Steelers of Ekuale’s youth was Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu.

“Coming here and knowing the people that come around this building before me, that paved the way for us Polynesians, like Troy, a lot of guys that came before me, it was exciting,” Ekuale said after an organized team activities session this week. “So, this is really surreal for me.”

The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Ekuale was signed in part to replace veterans Larry Ogunjobi and Montravius Adams, who were released. He joins a defensive line rotation that is led by Heyward and Keeanu Benton and features a pair of high-profile rookies in first-round pick Derrick Harmon and 336-pound fifth-round pick Yahya Black.

At 31 and with 57 NFL games under five head coaches and with 21 starts, six sacks and 91 career tackles on his resume, Ekuale embraces a role as a leader for the younger D-linemen.

“For sure, absolutely,” he said. “When they need anything from me, I’ll give them some tips, everything, just being a mentor any way I can, trying to tell them what I learned when I came in as a rookie.”

Running into Aaron

Most Steelers players say they’re just like the team’s fans in the respect that they don’t have any idea if or when Aaron Rodgers will join the team. A small number, though, got a chance to meet him when he was in the team’s facility in March.

Rodgers, the 41-year-old four-time MVP quarterback, covertly visited to meet with team brass. He has since said he is delaying any decision about playing a 21st NFL season in 2025 while he deals with personal issues.

Second-year defensive back Beanie Bishop was among current Steelers players on hand when Rodgers was in town.

“He’s a funny guy,” Bishop said Wednesday. “He made a joke. Me and (fellow DB) Cory Trice were working out. We had just finished, and he said, ‘Are you guys going to keep effing around or you going to work out?’ ”

Perhaps Rodgers was busting on Bishop because Bishop had two interceptions of Rodgers during a meeting Oct. 20 of last season. Bishop memorably said he was going to ask Rodgers to sign the balls of those picks so he could display and save them. Rodgers later said he did so. Bishop on Wednesday said he thanked Rodgers for doing so.

“It meant a lot, being a fan of the game,” Bishop said. “He’s one of those guys you watch as a kid.”

Would it mean a lot to Bishop for Rodgers to become his teammate and join the Steelers?

“I think it would be a cool thing,” Bishop said, “to have another guy who ultimately will be in the Hall of Fame.”