The Steelers are going to have to sign outside linebacker T.J. Watt to a new deal at some point in the future. They got practice signing a Watt on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with free agent fullback Derek Watt, the older brother of the All-Pro linebacker.
The move came on the same day the Steelers also brought back long snapper Kameron Canaday to a two-year deal. Ian Rapoport first reported both deals.
The move to acquire Watt was a needed one. Earlier in the day, the Steelers lost special teams ace Tyler Matakevich to the Bills on a two-year, $9-million deal. Watt and Matakevich tied for the NFL lead with 16 special teams tackles in 2019.
Obviously, T.J. Watt was happy about the move.
LETS GOOOOO!!!!!!!! Welcome to #SteelersNation !!!!!!!! @DerekWatt34 https://t.co/5cL1i9QJzG
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) March 17, 2020
The addition of Watt also could give the Steelers a boost offensively. He's considered one of the better blocking fullbacks in the league, though in four seasons with the Chargers, he only has 19 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown and 10 receptions for 152 yards.
The move means the Steelers have two of the three Watt brothers playing in the NFL. Eldest brother J.J. is an All-Pro defensive lineman for the Texans.
[caption id="attachment_970870" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, right, hugs bother Derek Watt after their game at Heinz Field in 2018 when the Steelers played the Chargers. -- MATT SUNDAY / DKPS[/caption]
It also likely spells the end of Roosevelt Nix's time with the Steelers. The veteran fullback missed most of the 2019 season with a knee injury and was scheduled to count $1.45 million against the team's salary cap. Releasing him would save the Steelers $875,000.
Watt earned $720,000 a year ago with the Chargers, but the Steelers reportedly gave his bank account a boost, locking him up with a three-year, $9.75 million deal.
The Steelers have lost defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Matakevich already in the legal tampering period of free agency.
Canaday was the first of their own players to come back.
Canaday, 26, has been with the Steelers since 2017. He's appeared in 48 games with the Steelers. Initially signed out of Portland State by the Cardinals, he appeared in three games for Arizona in 2016.
The new league year for the NFL begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday. That is also when teams can officially begin signing players to the deals agreed to over the past 48 hours.
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