When nose tackle Montravius Adams joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, it wasn’t his first encounter with coach Mike Tomlin. Or his second.

Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert were part of a contingent that dined with Adams and other Auburn players prior to the school’s pro day in 2017. And when Adams became a free agent this season, he was considering joining the Steelers before signing with the New England Patriots.

“It could have been with either one of these teams,” Adams said Friday. “I’m just glad to be here now, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Adams’ circuitous route to Pittsburgh gathered steam over the weekend. He was in New Orleans, where he had been demoted to the practice squad two weeks earlier, when agent Drew Rosenhaus texted Sunday night and said the Steelers were interested in signing him to the 53-man roster.

After being blown out by Cincinnati, 41-10, in a game in which Cameron Heyward started at nose tackle and Isaiah Buggs was de-activated, the Steelers were looking for some immediate help for the middle of their defensive line.

“I jumped at the opportunity,” Adams said, “and I’m appreciative.”

The Steelers are Adams’ third employer this year. Although he signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Patriots in March — he spent his first four seasons in Green Bay — Adams was released Aug. 31. He signed with the Saints a week later and appeared in five games, making one start, with them.

But after playing 16 snaps Nov. 14 against Tennessee, Adams was released and re-signed by the Saints to the practice squad. That made him eligible to join any team’s 53-man roster.

“Honestly, I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me, especially for what I feel like are my strengths,” Adams said. “They way they are using me in the defense is setting me up for success.”

Although the 6-foot-3, 304-pound Adams played in 3-4 defenses in Green Bay and in training camp with New England, Adams said the Steelers’ system is a little different than others.

“I feel pretty comfortable in this scheme,” he said. “It’s a little bit read and react, but they also have some different techniques. For me, mostly it’s been attack, get up the field, be disruptive and do what I do best.”

Adams brings 50 games of NFL experience to the Steelers, and he’s expected to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

“He’s moved good, he comes off the ball good, and he separates good,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “He looks good, but everybody looks good in practice. What really happens is when you get on the field and start playing. That’s the big thing. We’ll find out about that, hopefully.”

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