The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed another one of their own on the second day of “legalized tampering” for 2022 free agency, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Montravius Adams on a two-year deal Tuesday.
Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed the value of the contract was $5 million.
Adams didn’t join the Steelers last year until the final day of November, and he played in only six games (including playoffs) with the team. But despite having been released three times by two teams over the prior three months, Adams adjusted seamlessly with the Steelers and appeared to be an ideal fit for their defense.
The 6-foot-4, 306-pound Adams had eight tackles and three QB hits in 171 defensive snaps for the Steelers. Only 12 defensive tackles in the NFL had more QB hits over the final six weeks of the regular season, despite Adams missing a game because of covid-19 and his limited snaps in the others.
Though Adams was not a nose tackle by trade, he has the size and was adept at playing it for the Steelers. He could serve as the top backup at all the Steelers’ defensive line spots.
“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
A former third-round pick, Adams spent his first four NFL seasons as a rotational lineman for the Green Bay Packers. He signed a one-year deal for $2.5 million with the New England Patriots last March but was cut at the end of training camp. Adams appeared in five games for the New Orleans Saints last fall until the Steelers signed him off their practice squad.
Adams’ four starts for the Steelers matched his total for the first 4 ½ seasons of his NFL career.
The Steelers have an All Pro in the soon-to-be 33-year-old Cameron Heyward on their defensive line, but age and injury concerns make the position group a question mark. Tyson Alualu will be 35 in May, and he was limited to six quarters last season before suffering a broken ankle. Stephon Tuitt did not play at all after suffering a knee injury.
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