Patriots Cut Ties with former Steelers Defensive Tackle
The New England Patriots have released former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Armon Watts, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Watts signed with the Patriots in free agency to a deal worth up to $3 million, far exceeding what he made a year ago for Pittsburgh. Watts served as the Steelers’ go-to pass rusher off the bench last season.
“Pittsburgh showed some interest, but I feel like at the end of the day New England wanted me more. It’s a good organization,” https://twitter.com/RealAlexBarth/status/1778459489366118431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1778459489366118431%7Ctwgr%5E05fa76745dd912c20af27f012a7a4f066b563aa2%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsteelersdepot.com%2F2024%2F04%2Fnew-england-wanted-me-more-armon-watts-explains-departure-from-steelers-in-free-agency%2F”>Watts
said in April.
Given his contract, Watts is somewhat of a surprise cut by the Patriots. He should have several suitors for his services. The Steelers might even be interested in bringing him back.
Watts, a sixth-round pick out of Arkansas in 2019, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He would then head over to the Chicago Bears for the 2022 season. Watts was cut from the Vikings in August of 2022, but he was immediately scooped up by the Bears, where he started 12 games. In 2021, Watts posted a career-high five sacks. For his career, he has 125 tackles and 15 quarterback hits. He registered a career-high QB Hits in 2021.
The Steelers replaced Watts by signing veteran defensive lineman Dean Lowry in April.
Lowry, 29, is entering his ninth NFL season, seven of which were played with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him out of Northwestern in the 2016 NFL Draft. He maintained at least a co-starting role in Green Bay through 2022. He had his most impactful season in 2021, when he recorded five sacks in addition to 42 tackles and five tackles for loss. He also had four passes defended and a fumble recovery.
A 6-foot-6, 296-pound defensive lineman, Lowry can play both three- and five-technique, and will likely replace Watts as the Steelers’ seventh rotational defensive lineman, along with Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk.
“I am excited to join a franchise that is known for its defense,” Lowry told his hometown newspaper the Rockford Register Star in Illinois. “The level of consistency that Coach Tomlin has had over a decade now is really impressive. I am looking forward to being a part of it. Also, you see some similarities between Green Bay and Pittsburgh, with respect to being an iconic franchise and being in a community that really values football.
“It was an easy choice. It was a slow first week of free agency but I wasn’t really surprised, seeing how last season went with the injury and everything. The Steelers called at the right time. I went to visit last week to Pittsburgh and it felt right.”
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