By Adeniyi Precious 
The Patriots’ offseason just got a little more interesting. Defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale, who’s been with New England since 2021, is heading to Pittsburgh. While the terms of his deal with the Steelers aren’t public yet, his departure is another shake-up for the Patriots’ defensive line.
A Defensive Line Overhaul
Ekuale isn’t the only one out the door—Deatrich Wise Jr. just signed with Washington, and Davon Godchaux was traded to the Saints. That’s a whopping 311 games of experience gone, along with over 1,800 defensive snaps from last season.
New England has been busy trying to reload. They made a big splash by signing Milton Williams to a four-year, $104 million deal and brought in Khyiris Tonga on a one-year, $2.1 million contract. Alongside Christian Barmore, Keion White, and Jeremiah Pharms Jr., they’ll form the new core of the Patriots’ defensive front.
Good News for Barmore? Maybe.
Ekuale took on a major role last season after Barmore was sidelined with blood clots, playing more snaps than ever before. His departure might suggest the Patriots are optimistic about Barmore’s recovery, but it’s not a sure thing. A new coaching staff and a deep draft class at defensive tackle could have factored into the decision, too.
Four Free Agents Left
With Ekuale gone, the Patriots now have just four free agents still on the market: RB JaMycal Hasty, edge rusher Oshane Ximines, kicker Joey Slye, and offensive lineman Lester Cotton. None were expected to be high-priority re-signings.
No Compensatory Picks Coming
Don’t expect any extra draft picks for losing Ekuale. The Patriots’ offseason spending has canceled out any chance of gaining a compensatory selection for 2026. This marks the third straight year they’ll go without one.
Ekuale’s departure is just another sign of the Patriots’ defensive makeover. Now, the question is whether the new-look line can step up and fill the gaps.