As a defensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings, Armon Watts became well acquainted with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In their Week 13 thriller in December 2021, Watts got the best of the Steelers offensive line and became a disruptive presence in their victory. He would finish the game with three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and two hits on then-quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. That season, Watts set career highs in sacks, tackles, and quarterback hits.
A year later with the Chicago Bears, Watts failed to catch on the way he did as a Viking. One can assess the transition to a new team as part of the reason. The other explanation was the drop in defensive snaps from his previous year with the Vikings.
Watts may be perceived by many as just a depth defensive lineman. What should be acknowledged is that a handful of them have over 50 NFL games under their belt and over 100 tackles. Coming into a new season with a new team, Watts looks to regain his 2021 form and make an impact on the Steelers roster. With the new addition on the defensive line, the competition for a spot should be fierce. His ability to play at both the 3-tech and 1-tech could give him an advantage he can use during training camp.
With the new addition on the defensive line, the competition for a spot should be fierce. His ability to play at both the 3-tech and 1-tech could give him an advantage he can use during training camp.