Steelers Add to Defensive Line Depth with Veteran Dean Lowry

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Steelers look to have rounded out their defensive line rotation for the 2024 season by agreeing to terms on a contract with veteran free agent Dean Lowry, general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL owner’s meetings on Monday.

Lowry, 29, is entering his ninth NFL season, eight of which were played with the Green Bay Packers, who drafted him out of Northwestern in the 2016 NFL Draft.

A 6-foot-6, 296-pound defensive lineman, Lowry can play both three- and five-technique, and will likely replace Armon Watts as the Steelers’ seventh rotational defensive lineman, along with Cam Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi, Montravius Adams, Keeanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal and Isaiahh Loudermilk.

A native of Rockford, Illinois, Lowry, became a starter in his second season with the Packers in 2017 and 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.

The Minnesota Vikings signed Lowry to a two-year deal last March. He played nine games for Minnesota before suffering a pectoral injury on Nov. 19 that ended his season. He was released on March 12.

The Steelers shored up their depth at three critical spots on Monday, adding Lowry, third-string quarterback Kyle Allen and slot receiver Quez Watkins.