Patriots add to defensive front with former Steelers lineman
![MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 09: Armon Watts #96 of the Chicago Bears warms up against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2024/03/GettyImages-1431991691.jpg)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 09: Armon Watts #96 of the Chicago Bears warms up against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
On Wednesday afternoon, the New England Patriots made a move in free agency to bolster their defensive line. They are signing defensive lineman Armon Watts, according to multiple reports.
Andrew Callahan of The Boston Herald later reported it’s a one-year contract for Watts. The deal is worth up to $3 million.
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Watts, who will be 28 years old to start the season, primarily plays defensive tackle at 6-foot-5, 307 pounds. He spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and played 28 percent of their defensive snaps over 15 games, recording 15 tackles and half a sack.
Prior to joining the Steelers last year Watts also had stops with the Chicago Bears and before that the Minnesota Vikings, who drafted him in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Arkansas. His career year came in 2021 with Minnesota, when he had 46 tackles and five sacks in 17 games.
In New England, Watts will add defensive line versatility depth behind players like Daniel Ekuale, Keion White, Jeremiah Pharms, and Sam Roberts. That group should help make up for the loss of Lawrence Guy, who was released prior to the start of free agency.
For more updates on the Patriots and from around the league, check out our Free Agency Tracker below…