Report: Patriots signing former Steelers veteran defensive tackle

The Patriots are adding to their defensive line depth

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.

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.

Revisiting the Bears’ 2022 roster cutdown waiver claims

The Bears will be all over the waiver wire this week when cuts are made, but how did last year’s moves fare?

In just a matter of hours, the Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFL teams will whittle their rosters down to 53 players as they prepare for the regular season. That will leave hundreds of NFL athletes without a team, and they’ll hit the waiver wire with an opportunity to be picked up by a new one. When they do, the Bears will be waiting as they have first dibs at the top of the waiver order.

Just like they had the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft thanks to having the worst record in the league, the Bears also have the first waiver spot and will keep it until Week 3 of the regular season concludes. Then, waivers will be determined by the current league records, with the worst team getting the first spot.

Last year, the Bears had the seventh spot, but that didn’t stop general manager Ryan Poles from putting in quite a few claims for players. In 2022, the Bears led the league with six waiver claims on the first day (seven in total). Will Poles top that number this year as he looks to strengthen the roster?

Before we dive into possible waiver claims for this year, let’s look back to see how the 2022 waiver claims fared throughout the season.

96 days until Vikings season opener: Every player to wear No. 96

With the Vikings regular season opener just 96 days away, let’s take a look at the player’s who have worn No. 96 for the Vikings.

It’s the final countdown…

Well, sort of.

The Minnesota Vikings will kick off their 2023 regular season in 96 days at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 10.

From now until then, we will take a trip down memory lane and count each day by revisiting the players that have worn that specific jersey number.

The number is currently worn by defensive tackle Ross Blacklock, who was disappointing last season. His spot on the roster is likely up for grabs, so this number could change places before the start of the season.

With 96 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to wear No. 96 with the Vikings (via Pro Football Reference):

Bears 2023 free agency preview: Did Armon Watts show enough to come back?

Armon Watts was a popular waiver claim last August. Did he do enough in his one year in Chicago to warrant coming back?

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

Next up is defensive tackle Armon Watts, a player the Bears claimed off waivers just prior to the start of the season. He had some nice moments, but was it enough to warrant a return?

Bears 2023 free agency preview: Angelo Blackson is out the door

Angelo Blackson went from Week 1 starter to healthy scratch as the year wore on. His days as a Bear are likely over.

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

Our next player is Angelo Blackson, a defensive lineman who saw his snaps diminish as the season went on and is on his way out of Chicago.

Bears Week 8 injury report: Larry Borom, Armon Watts DNP Thursday

The Bears released their second injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. See Thursday’s report here:

The Chicago Bears (3-4) released their second injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys (5-2), where a couple notable veterans were sidelined.

Heading into this Week 8 matchup against the Cowboys, the Bears are relatively healthy — except along the offensive line. Center Lucas Patrick landed on injured reserve with a toe injury and right tackle Larry Borom

Here’s a look at the full injury report from Thursday’s practice:

Bear Necessities: Armon Watts looking forward to return to Minnesota in Week 5

Bears DT Armon Watts is ready to face his former team, the Vikings in Week 5: “That is probably the one I’ve got marked off on my calendar.”

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Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Armon Watts was one of the biggest surprise cuts during final roster cutdowns, and Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles didn’t hesitate to claim him off waivers.

“I am pretty sure everyone in the state (of Minnesota) was surprised,” Watts said, via the Chicago Tribune. “It definitely was a letdown, but it’s part of the game. I had to adapt fast coming over here to Chicago. You know, everything happens for a reason, so I am excited to be here.”

Watts was projected to be a starter for Minnesota heading into the 2022 season. But with Kevin O’Connell taking over as head coach, the Vikings transitioned from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme. Watts’ skillset makes him more impactful in a 4-3 scheme, like the Bears employ. Still, going from a rotational player to expected starter, his cut was definitely shocking.

“I’m not blind. If I’m with the second or third team maybe you see it coming,” Watts said. “But it hit hard for me, especially being there going on four years (and) producing like I did last year. I am here with the Bears now, I am still in the NFC North and I am excited.”

Safe to say, Watts has been anticipating next Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Watts will get two shots against his former team, but this one holds special meaning given it’s in Minnesota.

“That is probably the one I’ve got marked off on my calendar,” Watts said. “Is it circled? Most definitely.”

DT Armon Watts believes he’ll thrive in this Bears defense

Armon Watts is ready to contribute for this Bears defense: “I think it’s the perfect defense for me. I think they’ll get a lot out of me.”

When Armon Watts was cut by the Minnesota Vikings during final cuts, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles wasted no time claiming him off waivers.

Watts was among the most shocking cuts around the league as he was a starter for the Vikings. Lucky for Watts, he’ll get two opportunities for revenge against his former team this season.

“For me it was crazy, because it kinda took me completely off guard,” Watts said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “I was a starter in Minnesota, so not making their 53-man took me completely off guard.”

Last season, Watts had a breakout season with Minnesota last season, where he notched five sacks, two forced fumbles, 46 tackles and 10 QB hits in all 17 games with nine starts.

But with Minnesota transitioning to a 3-4 defense, Watts was no longer a scheme fit.

Lucky for the Bears, who are transitioning to a 4-3 defense, Watts became the perfect nose tackle for this new-look defense.

“I think it’s the perfect defense for me,” Watts said. “I think they’ll get a lot out of me.”

How so?

“Just being able to attack and use my skillset in the pass (rush),” he said.

Watts hasn’t been with the Bears long, but he’s already leaving a strong impression on this coaching staff.

“Just an athlete,” said head coach Matt Eberflus. “He’s an athlete that stays on his feet. He’s got really good rush ability, which is what we’re looking for in there, but he’s also got anchor to stay in there and anchor the point. He’s a really good addition and we’re excited to get him and we’re excited to work with him and his pass rush– even to get better and learn our style.”

While Watts was listed behind Justin Jones at 3-technique, he’s someone who will push for playing time and perhaps the starting nose tackle job against Angelo Blackson.

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Analyzing the Bears’ new waiver wire additions

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on the 7 new waiver wire additions to the roster.

The Chicago Bears added some new faces to the roster after claiming seven players off waivers last week in offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, defensive tackle Armon Watts, receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, linebacker Sterling Weatherford, defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, cornerback Josh Blackwell and tight end Trevon Wesco.

General manager Ryan Poles landed some talented players with plenty of potential as he continues to build his roster.

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on the seven new waiver wire additions to the roster.

Grading the Bears’ seven waiver wire signings

The Bears claimed seven players off waivers this week, including Alex Leatherwood and Armon Watts. We grade the new additions:

The Chicago Bears made several roster moves after setting their initial 53-man roster. Following roster cuts, new general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus continued to put their stamp on the roster by claiming seven players off of waivers — the most in the NFL.

Poles and Eberflus inherited a team with limited draft capital and money to spend on free agents. To make matters worse, they changed the offensive and defensive scheme, leaving them with a roster of players who didn’t fit the future vision.

The seven waiver claims this week are additions of players who the front office believes either fit the culture, the scheme or are value picks with upside.

Below we grade the seven new roster additions.