Steelers decide well-traveled DT Montravius Adams good enough to stick around

On Tuesday afternoon, less than a week into free agency, Montravius Adams was all smiles as he signed his new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This time of year is one of hope and optimism for scores of players across the NFL, many of whom joined new teams excited to have them and with bonus checks deposited into their bank accounts and visions of a breakout season ahead.

For Adams, he perhaps thought back to almost a year ago to the day, when he was having similar feelings. Adams, ultimately, had something of a breakout season and found himself a good fit.

Just not in the way he envisioned it.

Montravius Adams, newly signed to an extension, on if he’s been told what his role will be this coming season pic.twitter.com/poT0LO7JJY

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) March 22, 2022

“Unfortunately, it didn’t happen the way I wanted and I didn’t stay there,” Adams, a sixth-year defensive tackle said Tuesday in referencing his five-month stay in New England after signing with the Patriots last spring. “But in that journey I knew that I had to get healthy, and they played a very big role in that. Regardless of if I stayed there or not, they helped me at that point in being able to still play.”

Adams began 2021 on the roster of the Green Bay Packers, followed by his brief stint with the Patriots, then five games with the New Orleans Saints.

It wasn’t until December that he made his Steelers debut. But in the ensuing six games, Adams and the Steelers made a positive impression on each other.

The result was a two-year, $5 million contract extension.

“I guess I had people, other teams, call,” Adams said during a video conference call with media, “but honestly … knew I was trying to come back to Pittsburgh, and that was really the only thing for me.”

Adams was recovering from a foot injury and ended the 2020 season on Green Bay’s injured reserve list. He was waived by New England at the end of last year’s training camp. He was on the Saints practice squad when the Steelers signed him in a desperate attempt to shore up a defensive line decimated by injury.

The 6-foot-3, 304-pound Adams was a perfect fit, filling in at nose tackle as well as a rotational defensive lineman in the nickel defense. He showed surprisingly adept pass-rushing skills from the interior, sacking Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs and adding four QB hits, four hurries (per Pro Football Focus) and a batted-down pass.

“It is definitely a place I would like to stay,” #Steelers’ Montravius Adams said, “honestly, to finish my career, no matter how long that may be.”https://t.co/Getgc4dOas

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) January 30, 2022

PFF’s grades confirmed what the eye test told those watching the Steelers: Adams graded 12th in pass-rushing among the 137 NFL interior defensive linemen who played the most snaps in those six games.

“I came in with a singular mindset, and that was just to come in and give what I had left and have fun,” Adams said. “And I felt like I did that and I got blessed with bonuses: I met guys that helped me build my career and guys that I can do the same for them.

“It’s definitely just been a blessing being a part of the Steelers.”

Adams repeatedly has spoken effusively about the Steelers’ defensive leaders such as linemen Cameron Heyward and Tyson Alualu and linebacker T.J. Watt. Adams plans on training with them the rest of the offseason.

The Steelers have not signed any other free agents on the defensive line, and though they are expected to inject youth into the position via the draft, the hope is Alualu, 35, bounces back from a broken ankle and Stephon Tuitt returns after missing last season because of a knee injury.

Barring a stud rookie addition, it would seem Adams and veteran Chris Wormley are the top backups to a starting trio (if healthy) of Heyward, Tuitt and Alualu.

“I love how I was treated here by the city, the community (and) from coaches to my teammates. I just feel like this the place where I fit in,” Adams said. “And I definitely want to take advantage of it.”

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