Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko announced on Instagram that he’s retiring from the NFL after five seasons in the league.
Fehoko, 28, spent most of the last two seasons with the Steelers. He re-signed with the Steelers on Aug. 1 after a rash of injuries at the defensive tackle position, but was released on Aug. 19. He’s been a free agent ever since and now he’s moving on with his life’s work.
“Sometimes in life you just get a sense of fulfillment & for me it’s now. 29 years old and I couldn’t be happier with the journey of where this game has taken me,” Fehoko wrote on Instagram.
“To my family you guys never let me quit and more importantly never let me stop believing in myself. I’m thankful for every coach, teammate, trainer, opponent, agent, etc. because you guys made me a better version of myself every time I stepped on that football field.
“I’m not a fan of long novels but I’m glad to say I’m retiring from this great sport of football. I’m so blessed to have a head start in life & I look forward to my next chapter with my family. I’ll miss the team dinners, bus rides, training camps, and everything in between. I won’t miss conditioning.
“I love Yall.”
Not the news you guys are waiting on. Anyway I love y’all. Thanks for the memories. pic.twitter.com/Vqt4yvzqbc
— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) November 21, 2025
Fehoko is very active on social media, engaging with fans and providing insight on league matters. Perhaps he has a future in the media. Despite not being a high-profile player, he was highly respected in the locker room and among the fanbase due to his openness and friendly nature.
Before joining the Steelers, Fehoko played three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, appearing in 19 games and making three starts from 2020-22. He recorded a total of 36 tackles and one tackle for loss
Fehoko was known as a powerful run stuffer and has primarily played nose tackle in his time with the Steelers. In three preseason games in 2023, he had two tackles and batted down a pass.
In August, Fehoko had calls from several different organizations but jumped at the chance to re-sign with the Steelers, as he felt at home with a culture that he’s long respected.
“I love being here, just the environment and being around the fans again…I’m not shy when talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers in public,” Fehoko said. “This place has treated me well; they welcome me with open arms every time. The culture that Coach Tomlin has built here with the front office is great, and it’s something that I want to be a part of. It’s the only reason that I got up off the couch to play.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Fan Favorite Retires from NFL
