The Steelers signed defensive end Gabriel Rubio, the team's sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to a four-year contract. Rubio, who played at Notre Dame, was selected with the 210th overall pick.
Rubio played in six games in 2025, starting five, but missed the final six due to injury.
He appeared in 39 career games for the Fighting Irish, starting eight.
He recorded 66 tackles, 27 of them solo stops. He also recorded seven tackles for a loss, one and a half sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
"Just in terms of the size, the length, really just intriguing in terms of a big man up front," said defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. "Really fits what we're trying to do. Does a good job of defeating blocks. Hard to single block. The way he plays, he plays football the right way, has the right demeanor. His ability to play the run and then transition on early down run, using his length.
"You can see there's a savviness about him. Any time you're talking about a stout, big, long man playing on the interior defensive line, I think that fits the mold of what we're looking for here with the Steelers."
Rubio brings the aspect of versatility with him to the defensive line, something Graham said is necessary with all players.
"The key is to have versatility," said Graham. "My mind goes where are the multiple roles for this big body. He fits the mold for that."
He is the son of former Steelers nose tackle Angel Rubio.
"He's ecstatic," said Gabriel of his father. "He's so excited for me. He's given me all the pointers right now about living in Pittsburgh and what's going to go on, what's going to happen, so I'm really counting on his guidance."
