John Leglue Announces Retirement, Closes the Book on a Resilient NFL Journey
John Leglue, a name Steelers fans might remember from the trenches, has officially called it a career. The 29-year-old offensive lineman announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday, reflecting on a journey that took him from small-town Louisiana to the highest level of football - and everything in between.
Leglue shared the news on his X account, expressing gratitude for the path he walked in a heartfelt message. “Forever grateful for the opportunity to have achieved my childhood dream of competing at the highest level,” he wrote. “Many dream of playing in the NFL, but few truly understand the discipline, sacrifice, and commitment it takes to get there.”
It’s a sentiment that rings true for a player who carved out a career the hard way - undrafted, unheralded, but never unprepared. Leglue’s story is one of persistence, adaptability, and quiet contributions behind the scenes.
A Career Built on Versatility and Grit
Leglue’s NFL resume might not be packed with Pro Bowls or headlines, but it’s a testament to the kind of player every team needs: dependable, versatile, and always ready when called upon. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 310 pounds, Leglue brought rare five-position flexibility to the offensive line - a trait that kept him in the league even when the odds were long.
Originally signed by the Steelers in late 2020, Leglue spent the bulk of his career with Pittsburgh across two separate stints. While most of his time was on the practice squad, he made the most of his opportunity in 2021. After a wave of injuries hit the Steelers’ O-line, Leglue was elevated to the 53-man roster and started five games at left guard, holding his own in a pressure-packed stretch run.
That stretch remains the highlight of his playing career - not because it made headlines, but because it showed the kind of player he was: prepared, professional, and unshaken by the moment.
A League-Wide Journey
Leglue’s NFL journey took him across several franchises. After his initial time with the Steelers, he spent the 2023 season with the Tennessee Titans but was waived following training camp.
Later that year, he caught on with the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad and re-signed with the team for the 2024 offseason. He was waived again in August.
In between, he returned to Pittsburgh in 2024, signing with the practice squad in late August, getting released in November, and then rejoining the team in December. His final NFL stop came with the Los Angeles Rams, who released him during final roster cuts ahead of the 2025 season. He remained a free agent throughout the year.
Despite limited regular-season snaps - his in-game experience came primarily at left guard and left tackle - Leglue’s value was in his adaptability. Coaches trusted him to learn and execute at every position across the line, a skill he honed during his college days at Tulane. From right tackle to center, right guard to left tackle, Leglue did it all for the Green Wave, setting the foundation for a professional career built on utility and readiness.
Saying Goodbye on His Terms
In his retirement message, Leglue thanked the coaches, teammates, and organizations that believed in him, as well as his family and support system. “To the game that gave me everything, thank you,” he wrote. “Excited for this next chapter.”
He retires just a day after fellow former Steeler Zach Banner announced his own departure from the game - a fitting coincidence, as both players represented the kind of locker room presence and depth that teams lean on more than fans often realize.
Leglue’s NFL chapter may have closed, but his story is one worth remembering: a player who never stopped working, never stopped learning, and never took a single snap for granted.