The defensive line for the New England Patriots is getting an added boost with the team reportedly signing former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Armon Watts.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news on Wednesday.
Right out of the gates in the new league year, the Patriots made efforts to continue to fortify their defensive front. Watts had three previous stops before New England, including stints with the Steelers, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings.
His snap count dropped off significantly in his one-and-done year in Pittsburgh. After being in on nearly half of the defensive snaps in Chicago, he was only utilized for 28 percent of the snaps behind a powerful defensive front in Pittsburgh.
The #Patriots are signing veteran DT Armon Watts, per his agents @davidcanter @NessMugrabi @IanGrutman of @gsefootball. Watts has played in 72 career games (22 starts), most recently with Pittsburgh.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2024
Watts will likely factor in as a rotational piece on the defensive line for a Patriots team that had one of the best units in the NFL last season.