The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason has been peppered with free agent signings, which is a phenomenon in itself, but the trend hasn't stopped just because the first few days of chaotic free agency have passed. Knowing the team needed to bring in some more depth and competition in the defensive trenches, Pittsburgh has signed former-Chicago Bears Defensive Tackle, Armon Watts, according to his agent, via Twitter.
Matt Marton - USA Today
Steelers, former-Chicago Bears DT, Armon Watts, makes a gameday tackle
The #Steelers are signing former #Vikings and #Bears DT Armon Watts, per his agent @davidcanter. Former sixth-round pick has eight career sacks.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 11, 2023
Watts doesn't just bring the much-needed rotational ability to a defensive line that was humbled by opponents rushing attacks in 2022. During the homestretch of last season, when the Steelers were looking for that sliver of playoff hope, the defense allowed over 100 yards on the ground to six out of nine opposing running backs they faced, including four multi-touchdown games. To a defense with as proud a history as the Steelers do, that was far from good enough. Armon Watts now gets to join a squad ready to put that 2022 mess behind them and move forward with a new, grittier, nasty side to their run-stopping abilities.
AP News
Steelers defender misses a tackle against Browns running back
Steelers Looking For More Of The Same From Watts
Over the last two seasons, Watts started 21 games while tallying six sacks in those campaigns (Minnesota Vikings in 2021, Chicago Bears in 2022). As a player who will be primarily depth from first glance, bringing in only 125 career tackles and eight sacks isn't a worry when Watts will be surrounded with nothing but leadership and talent in TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, newly-returned Larry Ogunjobi, Alex Highsmith and plenty of new faces ready for their names to be known in households all over Pittsburgh.
For a team like Pittsburgh who is looking to boast multiple looks and formations throughout 2023, Watts may be just what they have been trying to find. Is he flashy with a social media following? No. However, can he play multiple positions and bring experience to each of them? That he can do with a natural feel.
Watts started out as a pure nose tackle when he was drafted by Minnesota in 2019, but oft-injured players around him gave Watts the opportunity to start moving around and testing out his talents in different positions. Before arriving in Chicago, Watts had played over half of his career living over or right around the center, but that doesn't mean the 10 percent and more than he played on the outer parts of the defensive line won't come into the minds of Steelers' defensive staff when the season is in mid-form.
Michael Greaves - USA Today
Steelers' new DT, Armon Watts, while with the Chicago Bears
What Should Steelers Fans Expect In 2023?
Will the Steelers be relying on Watts to be anything close to a game-changer? They will not, but knowing that the depth and willingness are ready and waiting across the entire defensive line, thanks to Watts' multi-faceted experience, the moments where change is needed won't be a moment for worry. Instead, remember the name Watts when one moment is needed in one big game; just like most of the aggressive moves by Omar Khan and the Steelers this offseason, we might just love what we see!
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